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The Battle of our Life is brief, 

The alarm, — the struggle, — the relief, ■ 

Then sleep tve side by side." 1 

— LongfelUm 



CHURCHYARD LITERATURE 

A CHOICE COLLECTION 

OF 

AMERICAN EPITAPHS, 

WITH REMARKS 

OX MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS AND THE 
OBSEQUIES OF VARIOUS NATIONS. 

BY JOHN R. KIPPAX, 

MEMBER OK THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 

" Let's talk of graves and worms and epitaphs." — Shakespeare. 



$ 



CHICAGO: 
S.C.GRIGGS AND COMPANY. 

1 8 7 7 .' 



X 



Copykigut, 1876. by 
JOHN R, KIPPAX 



PRESS OF BLAKELY * BEOWS, 



TO ALL 

WHO E'ER IN MUSING, 

HAVE IN FACT OR FANCY STROLLED 

¥ Midst Skulls and Coffins, Epitaphs and Worms ; 

Where Light-heeled Ghosts and Visionary Shades, 

i i Perform their Mystic Rounds," 



% ijfe %hw 



IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. 



CONTENTS. 



PAOB 
tNTRODUCTIOX 9 

Epitaphs on Eminent Personages 37 

Admonitory Epitaphs. ;...<.... 65 

Devotional EpitapHs 87 

Adulatory, Laudatory and Bombastic Epitaphs 103 

Professional Epitaphs. . . ; 129 

Ludicrous, Eccentric and Ridiculous Epitaphs 147 

Punning and Satirical Epitaphs . . ; 167 

Miscellaneous Epitaphs. ..;...; .;...:..;. 177 

INDEX . . i ; ; . ;;...;..;..;:...;.... 199 



PREFACE. 



There is no need that much should be said by way 
of preface to the following pages of what might aptly 
be styled grave literature. The simple fact that the 
"Way-Bills" of America's Dead have hitherto been 
but indifferently recorded is certainly a sufficient ex- 
cuse for the appearance in print of these gleanings. 

As a collection of epitaphs this must not be sup- 
posed to include all that have been written in this 
country since 1492, but only such as have come 
under my own personal observation, or have been 
contributed by friends during the last five years. 

The remarks on monumental inscriptions and the 
funeral rites and obsequies of various nations have 



PREFACE. 



been made as condensed and exhaustive as was possi- 
ble within the limits assigned to an introduction. 

The culling and arranging of this material, though 
the work of odd moments and little remnants of time, 
proved a matter of no little difficulty and labor. 

To my many friends who have so kindly aided me 
in making the compilation, my thanks are due; but 
especially am I indebted to the Misses E. M. Booth of 
Chicago, Illinois, and A. M. Laurie of Norristown, 
Penn., for their valuable assistance. 

And yet while feeling perfectly justified in present- 
ing this innovation on American literature to the 
public, "I am not ignorant, ne unsure that many 
there are before whose sight this Book shall finde 
small grace and lesse favour." 

J. R. K. 
Oak Park, Nov. 5, 1876. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



INTRODUCTION, 



£F all the materials presented to the student of 
history for his examination, few occupy a 
$S5J£§ place at once so peculiar and important as the 
memorials of the dead. 

The "men of renown " when the world was young- 
have left their records in the "Acres of God." 

The pyramids and rock-hewn structures of India 
and Thebes, the remains of Aztec temples, the tab- 
lets of Phoenicia and Egypt, the mounds of Scandi- 
navia and of our own continent, have taught us much 
that we know of nations, once puissant, but long 
since departed. 

The annals of the race have been revealed by the 
vestiges of the tombs, voices from the dead have ex- 
plained obscure passages of classic writers, and lights 
from the grave have given an insight into the cir- 
cumstances that governed our ancestors in pre-his- 
toric times. 

The custom of erecting memorials to the dead is 
almost coeval with the existence of mankind. 

Sometimes these relics are all that is left of a nation. 



12 INTRODUCTION. 

and as Ferguson remarks, " without the lessons we 
learn from them, the architectural history of Rome 
is an unintelligible maze, and the connection between 
the arts of Greece and Italy, from the earliest time, 
equally inexplicable." 

The "tomb-hillocks " of Peru and Chili, the mounds 
of Mexico and the barrows of North America, reveal 
to us traces of the genius of races that else would have 
been lost in oblivion. 

The earliest forms of memorials are supposed to be 
the mound and the pyramid. Yet the first record is 
of the pillar raised by a sorrowing patriarch to the 
Rachel he had loved and lost, and that record, grand 
in its simplicity, suggests the hallowed motives for 
the first erection of monuments to the dead. 

In the burial-places of Memphis and Thebes we 
find the crowning excellence reached in the erection 
of ancient sepulchral mounds. 

Outside of Egypt, the oldest tumulus is that which 
Alyattes, the father of Croesus, king of Lydia, built 
for himself 561 B.C. It had an altitude of 200 feet 
and a diameter of 1180. 

The mounds or tumuli of our own continent owe 
their origin in part, doubtless, to the " mound- build- 
ers " of early times, and in part to a custom common 
among many of the North American Indians of hold- 
ing "Festivals of the Dead," which consisted in 
gathering together, at intervals of eight or ten years, 
the bones of their departed, and depositing them, 
amid impressive ceremonies, in a common grave. 



INTRODUCTION. 13 

These festivals commenced, says Charlevoix, " by the 
appointment of a place where they should meet, the 
choosing of a president of the feast, and the sending 
of invitations to neighboring villages. The appointed 
day arrived, all the Indians assembled, and went in 
procession, two and two, to the cemetery. After a 
period of silence, which was first interrupted by the 
women giving vent to cries of lamentation, they pro- 
ceeded to take up the bodies, arrange the separate 
and dry bones and place them in packets to carry 
on their shoulders. They then returned in the same 
procession in which they came, and each deposited his 
burden in his cabin. During the procession the wom- 
en continued their lamentations, and the men testified 
the same marks of grief as on the death of the person 
whose bones they bare. 

"This was followed by a feast in each house in 
honor of the dead of the family. 

" The succeeding days were considered as public 
days, and were spent in dancing, games and combats, 
at which prizes were bestowed. 

"From time to time, they uttered cries, which were 
called, ' les cris des ames? 

" After some days thus spent, all went in procession 
to a grand council-room fitted for the occasion. They 
then suspended the bones and bodies in the same state 
as they had taken them from the cemetery, and placed 
there the presents intended for the dead, and after- 
wards conveyed them to the spot designated as their 
final resting-place. 



14 INTRODUCTION. 

" All their ceremonies were accompanied with 
music, both instrumental and vocal, to which each 
marched in cadence." 

Throughout New York and Canada, these extensive 
depositories, which generally occupy commanding 
positions, are familiarly known as "bone pits." 

In Genessee county, N. Y., are the remains of a 
once large in closure called "Bone Fort," within 
which was found a mound six feet high and thirty 
feet broad, made up of human bones, slightly covered 
with earth. On the northern shore of Ossipee Lake, 
New Hampshire, overgrown with heavy timber, is a 
mound ten feet high and forty-five feet in diameter; 
and on Tonnewanda Island, in Niagara river, is one 
originally fifteen feet high. 

A tumulus near Parkersburg, in West Virginia is 
seventy feet high; and one near Miamisburg in Ohio 
is sixty-eight feet. 

The quadrangular truncated mound of Cahokia, 
Illinois, opposite St. Louis, had, when in its integrity 
and before it was encroached upon and swept away by 
modern improvement, an altitude of ninety feet and 
a circumference at the base of two thousand feet. 
That at Seltzertown, Miss., is six hundred feet long, 
four hundred feet broad at its base, and forty feet 
high, and covers six acres. 

Several mounds have been found around Barrie in 
Canada, and near Penetanqueshene in the township 
of Jiny, a funnel-shaped pit has been discovered 
measuring fifteen feet in diameter and nine feet deep. 



INTRODUCTION. 1 "» 

Another was found in the township of Oro, and still 
others in the Isle Ronde, situated near the extremity 
of Lake Huron. 

In Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri, large 
cemeteries have been discovered in which skeletons 
were found packed in rude coffins composed of flat 
stones placed in ranges of great extent. And in the 
neighborhood of Augusta, Kentucky, iron and arti- 
cles of European origin have been unearthed, with 
skeletons, showing conclusively that this mode of 
burial must have been customary among the Indians 
up to a late period; while in the vicinity of Chica- 
go, Illinois, near Waldheim cemetery, on the banks 
of the Desplaines river, are a group of 1ow t mounds, 
which have yielded skulls of such singular conforma- 
tion, as to show without doubt that they are the 
crania of the "mound-builders," and not of the Red 
man. Similar ones have also been found along the 
Fox, Rock, Kankakee and Illinois rivers. 

On the rock bluffs of the Osage river, and in the 
" Cherokee country," of the south, mounds of more 
recent origin than earthen mounds have been discov- 
ered. They are known as Stone Mounds, have an 
altitude of five feet and a diameter of twenty feet; 
and owe their origin, not to the mound-builders, but 
to the Indians. 

Near Chester, Illinois, grave hills covering lime- 
stone Cists, each containing a skeleton, have been 
found. Similar cists have been seen in Missouri, 
Indiana and Tennessee. On the Pacific coast, Shell 



16 INTRODUCTION. 

Mounds, containing numerous skeletons of Indians, 
mostly in the sitting posture, are common. 

Several similar mounds have also been observed in 
Indiana and along the banks of the Yazoo and Ten- 
nessee rivers. 

Dolmens, which are common in England, as relics 
of the Druidical age, are seldom found in the United 
States. A few, however, have been discovered in 
southern Utah, on the extreme summit of the Snowy 
Range. 

Urn burial, according to Dr. Blanding, appears to 
have been practiced to some extent in early times 
throughout the Southern States. 

In the mounds near Camden, South Carolina, vases 
are found ranged one above another, and occasionally 
a skull may be seen placed face downwards over the 
mouth of a vase, thereby acting the part of cover to 
the vessel, which had evidently been too small to re- 
ceive it. 

The three principal modes of disposing of the dead 
have been embalming, incremation and interment. 

Interment has a hundred-fold the variety of either 
embalming or incremation. "Earth to earth" and 
" Dust to dust " was the earliest, is the present, and 
will probably be the prevailing mode of burial through 
all time. Tradition buried Adam in the Island of 
Serendib, and for ages guarded his resting-place with 
mighty lions, while Eve was consigned to the Holy 
Land to round out her quiet sleep in dust. 



INTRODUCTION. 17 

With reference to the custom of incremation, we 
have no means of determining its origin, though the 
probability is that it arose from the desire to remove 
all possibilities of insult or ill-treatment of the dead. 

The practice of embalming reached its highest 
state of perfection with the Egyptians. They put 
their wealthy through a process of spicing and dry- 
ing which occupied a period of seventy days, and 

stowed them awav in the tombs of Gizeh. 

t/ 

The Babylonians embalmed their dead in honey, 
and were bitter in their denunciation of incremation, 
deeming such a performance nothing less than sacri- 
lege to the sun. 

The Guanches, the aboriginal inhabitants of the 
Canary Islands, also rudely embalmed their corpses, 
by removing the entrails, drying the bodies in the 
air, and covering them with varnish. 

Prescott says, that the ancient Peruvians preserved 
the bodies of their Incas after the Egyptian fashion, 
and that in early times mummies had an abiding place 
in Mexico. 

Prof. Johnston, in alluding to the folly of this cus- 
tom, remarks as beautifully as truly: 

" Embalm the loved bodies, swathe them, as the 
old Egyptians did, in resinous cerements, and you 
but preserve them a little longer that some wretched 
plundering Arab may desecrate and scatter to the 
winds the residual dust. Or jealously in regal tombs 
and pyramids preserve the forms of venerated emper- 
ors or beauteous queens, still, some future conqueror, 



18 INTRODUCTION. 

or more humble Belzoni, will rifle the most secure 
resting-place. Or bury them in the most sacred 
places, beneath high altars, a new reign shall dig 
them up and mingle them again with the common 
earth. Or, more careful still, conceal jour last rest- 
ing place where local history keeps no record and 
even tradition cannot betray you: then accident shall 
stumble at length upon your unknown tomb and lib- 
erate your still remaining ashes." 

The Thibetans cut in pieces the bodies of their dead, 
and either toss them into the lakes to feed the fishes, 
or expose them on the hill-tops for the benefit of the 
eagle or other bird of prey. 

The Parsees lay their deceased in open stone recep- 
tacles placed on Dakhmas or " Towers of Silence," 
where Heaven-sent birds, the vultures, clean the bones, 
which in four weeks are removed, and deposited in 
wells of masonry, there to commingle with the dust of 
whole generations gone before. 

The Ethiopians disposed of the dead either by 
throwing them into the river or by preserving them 
in their houses, after having deposited them in stat- 
ues of gold, silver or baked clay, and inclosed the 
whole in a coffin of glass. 

The ancient Bactrians, believing this a world of 
uses, dispensed with all funeral rites, suffered the bod- 
ies of their departed friends and relatives to be eaten 
by animals, and even provided for the removal of the 
enfeebled and helpless, whether through age or sick- 



[NTRODUCTION. 19 

ness, by keeping large and savage dogs to devour 
them. 

The ancient Greeks were enjoined by law to burn 
the dead, and yet the Athenians occasionally interred 
their bodies. 

With the Romans, the deceased was allowed to re- 
main unburied seven days before this rite was per- 
formed, and on each day was washed with hot water 
and fragrant oils. 

The Burmese priests before burying a body, if it 
be one of rank, enclose it in a varnished coffin, sing 
hymns over it, and have a grand procession. They 
then place it on a pyre of precious woods erected for 
the occasion, which is afterwards ignited and allowed 
to burn till nearly consumed, when the body is 
snatched from the flames, and the charred remnants 
given decent burial in some adjoining graveyard. 

The Mongol Tartars burn the bodies of their 
princes and chief priests, while the remaining Tartar 
tribes practice both incremation and burial. 

The Tonquinese burn their dead, and store away 
the ashes in cinerary urns. 

On the Himalayan slopes, the Sikkim burn the 
bodies of departed friends and relatives, and scatter 
the ashes to the four winds of heaven. 

The Cheyenne Indian, like the ancient Scythian, 
hangs this "strange fruit" among the foliage of his 
native forests, a prey to the vulture, and the sport of 
every wind and storm, or else, encased in a covering 
of willows, places it with the feet southward upon a 



'20 INTRODUCTION. 

platform in some cotton -wood tree, convinced that 
with an abundance of the necessities for the trip, in 
the shape of food, arms and tobacco, his spirit will 
eventually be gathered to Manitou, the protector of 
the Happy Hunting Grounds. 

The tribes of Oonalaska and Kootka Sound bury 
the dead on the tops of hills, place a little tumulus 
over the spot, and expect every passer-by to help 
erect a monument b} T throwing a stone on the heap. 

Such, in brief, has been the order of things 
throughout many of the ancient and semi-barbarous 
"realms of peace." 

But as we journey along through the silent land, 
the cotton-wood tree and the cinerary urn fade in the 
distance, the catacomb, the mound and the pyramid 
dissolve from view, and we come upon those "bowers 
of bliss," where "birds may carol at their own sweet 
will" to the patient sleepers beneath the sequestered 
shades of our modern cemeteries. As has been beau- 
tifully written, " Can 'couch more magnificent' be 
sought for than the beautiful open cemetery, festooned 
with richest foliage, and glorified with the sunshine, 
the incense of flowers and the chants of winds? 

"How much better is it to place the remains of our 
loved ones beneath the green sod and the blue canopy 
of heaven, than in crowded crypts and corners of an 
antique abbey — the open temple of nature, than the 
contracted one of art." 

"Our blessed Saviour," says Evelyn, " chose the 



INTRODUCTION. 21 

garden sometimes for his oratory — and dying, for the 
place of his sepulchre; and we do avouch, for many 
weighty causes, that there are no places more fit to 
bury our dead in than our gardens and groves or airy 
fields, sub dis, where our beds may be decked and 
carpeted with verdant and fragrant flowers, trees and 
perennial plants, the most natural and instructive 
hieroglyphics of our expected resurrection and immor- 
tality." . 

Many are the beautiful gardens of graves that are 
scattered through our land. New York has its 
Greenwood; Boston, Mount Auburn; Philadelphia, 
Laurel Hill; Chicago, Rose Hill and Calvary, Grace- 
land and Oakwood; Savannah, its most beautiful of 
burying grounds, and each and every other city and 
town its own cemetery. Some of these acquire pecul- 
iar interest in that, side by side with their brothers 
of Revolutionary fame, sleep many of the heroes of 
civil strife who fell in the cause of liberty. 

"All their conflicts ended now, and they in rest, 
which would be eternal but for that last trump which 
shall startle all the armies to the grand and ultimate 
review." 

In the " dull churchyard" and amidst 

" Those hillocks of mortality, 
Where proudest man is only found 
By a small hillock in the ground," 

how appropriate the planting of such emblems as the 
ivy, the cypress and the pine, and the bedecking of the 



22 INTRODUCTION. 

graves with flowers; the cypress and the pine be- 
tokening death; and the ivy immortality, while the 
flowers, besides being beautiful in themselves, are 
suggestive of every other kind of beauty. 

" Flowers," says Leigh Hunt, " are evidences of 
Nature's good nature; they neutralize bad with good; 
beautify good itself; make life livelier; and anticipate 
the spring of heaven over their winter of the grave. 
Their very frailty, and the shortness of their lives, 
please us, because of this their indestructible associa- 
tion with beauty, for while they make us regret our 
own like transitory existence, they soothe us with a 
consciousness, however dim, of our power to perceive 
beauty; therefore, of our wish with something divine 
and deathless, and of our right to hope that immortal 
thoughts will have immortal realization." 

In the "Cities of Silence" of Turkey, the graves 
are adorned with leaves of the palm tree, and marked 
by boughs of myrtle and cypress. 

At funerals the Scandinavians strew the path to 
the grave with branches of box and fir, and occasion- 
ally with artificial flowers. 

The Laplander uses evergreens, and the Welshman 
bay leaves. 

White roses were often used as tokens of virgin 
purity and innocence, while as an emblem of frail 
mortality the rose was sometimes blended with the 
lily, and when hapless loves or sorrows crossed life's 
pathway, resort was had to the yew and the cypress. 

So Stanley, in "The Exequies" mourns, — 



INTRODUCTION. 23 

" Yet strew 
Upon my dismal] grave 

Such offerings as you have, 
Forsaken cypresse and yew ; 
For kinder flowers can take no birth 
Or growth from such unhappy earth." 

And Shakespeare, in those magic lines so beautiful 
and apposite, sings in a different strain: 

>i With fairest flowers, 
Whilst summer lasts, and I live here, Fidele, 
I'll sweeten thy sad grave ; thou shalt not lack 
The flower that's like thy face, pale primrose, nor 
The azured hare-bell like thy veins, no, nor 
The leaf of eglantine; whom not to slander, 
Outsweetened not thy breath." 

In ancient times, the custom of burying the dead 
outside the cities was almost universal; a lesson 
worthy the imitation of modern communities. 

Even the practice of embalming did not prevent 
the Egyptians from placing the dwelling places of 
the dead beyond the Nile. 

The Ceramicus of the Athenians, the most beau- 
tiful suburb of their illustrious city, was situated 
without its walls. 

Sparta's famous lawgiver, it is said, ordered in- 
terment within her walls, that her sons might be- 
come familiar with death. 

The Mohammedans generally bury their dead outside 
the city in tombs either above or below the ground, 
made, as in New Orleans, of stone or brick, and stud- 



24 INTRODUCTION. 

ded with arched cavities of sufficient size to admit 
the coffined remains of the departed. Their immense 
graveyards present a strange and peculiarly gloomy 
appearance, " their white marble columns, surmount- 
ed by turbans, shimmering like ghosts through and 
above the groves of cypresses that always mark the 
last repose of the Moslem sleepers." 

The Chinese have no cemeteries of any extent, 
every family in thickly settled parts of the country 
providing its own burial ground. As a people they 
are extraordinarily devoted to their dead, and usually 
select the fairest spots in the land for sepulture. So 
desirous are they all to be buried in the "Flowery 
Kingdom," that, as writes the Rev. C. W. Wendte: 
" The labor contract of the Coolie emigrant especially 
stipulates that in case of death his body is to be car- 
ried back to China, that his dust may mingle with 
that of his ancestors, and he may join their spirits in 
the ancestral temple. Otherwise, such is his strange 
superstition, his soul would wander about unknown, 
unhoused and unfed, — a stranger ghost in a foreign 
land." 

The cemeteries of Russia are for the most part ar- 
ranged at considerable distances from the towns, and 
are marked by groves of tall pines, which seem as 
emblematical of death to the Muscovite as cypresses 
are to the Moslem mind. 

With the Romans inter-mural burying was not al- 
lowed except to a favored few. Their law was very 
severe against violators of tombs, and nobody could 



INTRODUCTION. 25 

be removed, even by friends, without official sanction. 
Yet the Roman burying places did not enjoy the legal 
sanctity of our own churchyards, but were simply set 
apart from the lands adjoining some highway by the 
proprietor. Hence particular care was taken that 
no opportunity should be afforded whereby the pur- 
pose of the owner might be defeated, or the property 
alienated to other uses. The avarice of the heir was 
especially watched, and the usual formula is: "Hoc 
monumentum hseredem non sequitur." — (H. M. H. 
K S.) 

One man, in order that his heir might not outwit 
him, and appropriate his burying-place, inscribes that 
he was of a "sound and disposing mind " when he 
made his will. Another makes it a condition of in- 
heritance that his monument shall be commenced 
within three days after his death, and be built after a 
prescribed model. And many, to be certain about 
the matter, erected their own monuments during 
their lifetimes. Some not only willed to have a mon- 
ument erected,butalso bequeathed an annual sum for 
lighting a lamp and feeding it with oil. And it was 
more especially for the purpose of securing perpetual 
attention to these funeral rites, that the alienation of 
their burying grounds was so strictly forbidden. 

But though the lamp at the tomb is lighted no 
more, yet the spirit of the Roman lives through the 
ages, and a college perpetuates the name of its mod- 
ern founder. The symbol has vanished, and the sep- 
ulchre itself may remain in darkness, but the pure 



26 INTRODUCTION. 

light of learning immortalizes the memory of its pat- 
ron. The festivals have ceased, but the beneficence 
of the dead will not be forgotten, so long as the char- 
itable institution sustained by his wealth, exists to 
benefit the needy. 

Following the erecting of monuments and antedat- 
ing the consecration of graveyards comes the record- 
ing of inscriptions and the engraving of epitaphs. 

Etymologically, an epitaph is simply an inscription 
on a tomb, and as such might be supposed to include 
the record of death. But many contend that the rec- 
ord forms no part of an epitaph, and that although it 
is an inscription on a tomb, yet every inscription so 
placed is not necessarily an epitaph, else we must 
include the sculptor's name, which is often appended. 

The origin of epitaphs as traced by Camden is in 
accordance with this view, and we may obtain a tol- 
erably clear idea of their first signification from his 
statement. He mentions that the scholars of Linus, 
the Theban poet, "fyrst bewayled they re master, 
when he was slayne, in doleful verse, called of him, 
(Elinum, and afterwards, Epitaphia, for that they 
were fyrst sung at buryals and after engraved upon 
the sepulchres." 

From this it appears that the erection of the first 
monuments and the inscription of the first epitaphs, 
had one common cause — the love and respect enter- 
tained by the living for the dead. This high motive 
has not, however, always had the ascendancy; ever 



INTRODUCTION. ^7 

and anon it has been replaced by vanity in all its emp- 
tiness, and as a legacy to the world we find sepulchral 
writings, devoid alike of beauty, sense and truth. 

The earliest recorders of inscriptions of whom we 
have any satisfactory knowledge were the Egyptians, 
who placed upon their sarcophagi and coffins, the 
names, descent and functions of their embalmed rela- 
tives. 

The Romans of early imperial times contented 
themselves with modest encomiums and statements 
of name, station and age. Subsequently we find a 
fuller enumeration of public services; and it is inter- 
esting to notice, that while they record the building 
of cities, the destruction of enemies, and other works 
of great men, yet few acts of social benevolence are 
mentioned. In this particular, the difference between 
them and inscriptions of modern date is most strik- 
ing, and we search in vain through the darkness of 
those times for the works of a Howard or a Wilber- 
force. Later still, in addition to the trade or calling, 
are found rough forms of implements, a custom which 
continued down to the middle ages. No false shame 
troubled the people. The dealer in pigs engraves 
upon his tomb. " negotiator suaris" and the "clown 
of the city company of mountebanks " gravely in- 
scribes on the sepulchre of ^Emilia Irene, his wife, 
" stupidus gregis urbani." 

A crusader has his effigy placed on his tomb in 
morion and cross-legged, as who should say, " 1 
Walter Fitz-give-'em, Kt., having fought doughtily 



28 INTRODUCTION. 

in the Holy Land, and hewed many circumcised infi- 
dels, now rest in pace. Odi profanum." 

A baker makes his last resting-place in the form 
of an oven, and embellishes it with representations of 
his loaves, kneading trough and mill. 

[A pilot in Greenwood cemetery declares his pro- 
fession by his monument. A solid base supports 
his sarcophagus, on which is placed a capstan coiled 
with a cable, and this is surmounted by a mast, whose 
top is crowned by a beautiful statue of Hope leaning 
on her anchor and pointing to the skies. Carved on 
the sarcophagus, in bas-relief are two vessels in a 
storm, one representing his own, and the other the 
vessel he is piloting into port.] 

A carpenter has left us the shape of the tools with 
which he fashioned the palaces of Rome, and it is 
singular that the " chisel " figured on the tomb is 
identical in form with the stone "celt" about which 
so much has been learnedly written. 

Sometimes a request is urged with promises of for- 
tu ne, threats of vengeance, or on the plea of humanity. 
P>eing placed usually along the great roads,tombstones 
were especially liable to spoliation, inasmuch as they 
formed a convenient place on which the travelers of 
those days eased their little minds. " Script or par ce 
hoc opus," is not the address of an author to his critic, 
but a husband to the scribbler to spare the monument 
of his wife. 






INTRODUCTION. 29 

The first six centuries after Christ are rich in Chris- 
tian inscriptions of an eminently devotional character, 
and on the tombs we frequently find extracts from that 
Book which was their guide and comfort while living. 

Soon, however, the introduction of heraldic devices 
reduced the religious character of inscriptions, and as 
the Christianity of the times became a power in Eu- 
rope, and persecution ceased to purify faith, heathen 
precedents commenced to work, and though we do 
not find coarse, epicurean expressions, yet a trifling 
with death and its surroundings is evidenced by the 
witticisms and vagaries which gradually regained a 
position on monuments. 

Survivors forgot that a tomb is no place for a bio- 
graphy, and in their vanity esteemed a brilliant record 
more than a true one. They lost the energetic con- 
ciseness that characterized the works of the ancient 
sculptors, knowing that in " lapidary inscriptions a 
man is not upon oath." Eulogies so fulsome as to 
be disgusting, and interminable records which tire 
the reader, appear, presenting a striking contrast to 
the simple and direot language of true sorrow. And 
although the Latin tongue — the most apt' for the pur- 
pose — may have checked in some measure this degrad- 
ing tendency, its influence ceased with its use, and of 
all the languages of to-day, the Italian, and, in a less 
degree, the Spanish, have caught the true spirit of 
classical antiquity. 

Turning now more particularly to the graveyards 
of our own times and the epitaphs in our own Ian- 



30 INTRODUCTION. 

guage, we find much that is worthy of admiration, 
also much that must certainly be condemned. It has 
been truly said that " cemeteries express the feelings 
and meet the wants of an altered time.'' A nation's 
warriors lie slain upon the battle-field; friends and 
relatives depart and pass the gate of death; science 
and art lose earnest worshipers; and the world mou.-ns 
deeply the noble lives it could ill-afford to spare. 

These are indeed altered times. The nations of 
modern date have emulated those of antiquity. The 
brave brethren of the defenders of Thermopylae erected 
a monument, and inscribed thereon a sentence that 
must have thrilled through every Spartan breast: 
" Go, passenger, and tell at Lacedcemon, that we died 
in obedience to her sacred laws." And through every 
part of this great country, monuments are found, 
which attest a nation's gratitude and reverence for 
her patriotic warriors of a hundred years. 

Inscriptions on national monuments are not usu- 
ally open to such grave objections as those on many 
memorials erected by private persons; for however 
faulty they may be aesthetically considered, they are, in 
most cases, written with some regard to common 
sense, and to the rules and proprieties of the English 
language. Being national and not private, tliey admit 
an amount of panegyric which would be fatal to the 
merit of any other monument. The other class, hav- 
ing many authors, presents many forms. One epi- 
taph is beautiful in sentiment and feeling, and concise. 
as the language of sorrow should be. Another charms 



INTRODUCTION. 31 

the ear with the rhythm of its words and fineness of 
expression. A few — but how few! — succeed in harmo- 
niously setting humor amidst gloomy surroundings. 
All these we admire and esteem as rich treasures, 
and worthy of a place in the " Holy Suburbs " of the 
Better Land. But there are others which have scarce- 
ly any recommendations. Some set both orthography 
and syntax completely at defiance. Others — not a 
few — repeat for the "benefit of a benighted world," 
the beautiful (?) lines, "Physicians were all in vain," 
etc., while an occasional straggler may be seen emu- 
lating the kingly example of Darius, who wished to 
have engraven on his tomb for the information of 
posterity, the following, " Here lies King Darius, 
who was able to drink many bottles : of wine without 
staggering." 

The silly conceits and untimely witticisms on many 
monuments, are the shame of mankind, only fit for 
provoking the mirth and laughter of fools. And when 
we look at the fulsome eulogies on some marbles, we 
are tempted to ask again the question so aptly put by 
Lamb to his sister: "Mary, where do the naughty 
people lie?" 

There is another class of epitaphs, which, perhaps, 
merit a milder form of censure, and which sometimes 
move the reader to pity, not so much on account of 
bereavement sustained by their authors, but because 
they persist in contemplating so intently and absorb- 
ingly the sufferings endured by the departed during 
life. Were it not in some measure ludicrous, it would 



32 INTRODUCTION. 

be indeed sorrowful that the living should thus har- 
row their feelings, by the consideration of sufferings 
passed, by placing a record thereof over the graves of 
their loved ones. The ancients can teach us a lesson 
in this: they seldom mention on their monuments 
the cause of death. 

" There are no specific rules," says Pettigrew, u to 
determine the formation of modern epitaphs, either 
with regard to their construction or as respects their 
contents. They may recount the virtues and glorious 
actions of the deceased, and hold them up for our 
imitation; and they may also narrate the de- 
scent of the individual, and may mourn his loss. 
A moral or admonitory precept, too, may be added, 
and in this manner important instruction may be 
conveyed. An epitaph should unquestionably be 
brief, and should combine beauty of expression with 
tenderness of feeling. All that is expressive of love, 
sorrow, faith, hope, resignation and piety, should 
characterize an epitaph. It ought to be made almost 
exclusively applicable to the individual interred, 
and certainly not too long for remembrance. Its ob- 
ject is to record what is worthy of remembrance, and 
to excite sympathy in the beholder. True and gen- 
uine sorrow is never loquacious. In conve} T ing con- 
solation and admonition it should have reference to 
the common lot of all, and teach us to look up from 
the grave to a higher sphere of existence. 

Fuller, in adverting to epitaphs, says of them: 
" The shortest, plainest and truest are the best. I say 



INTRODUCTION. 33 

the shortest, for when a passenger sees a chronicle 
written on a tomb, lie takes it on trust some ^reat 
man is buried there, without taking pains to examine 
who he is. I say also the plainest, for except the 
sense lie above ground, few will trouble themselves to 
dig for it." 

The English language doubtless does not possess a 
grander than that inscribed to a celebrated actor, yet 
it has only five words: "Here lies rare Ben Johnson-, 
and Wolfe's broken column has only the four words: 
"Here died Wolfe, victorious;" while a shattered 
headstone at St. Paul's, New York, bears in two 
words the most powerful utterance in that storied 
abode of death, — My Mother/ 

Perhaps no description of serious literature has 
ever afforded so much entertainment to the world as 
that of epitaphs. None, perchance, is so rich in ma- 
terials. 

Muriatori and the scholars of Italy were pre-emi- 
nent in the work of collection. Bruce, Stuart and 
others have done the same work for British monu- 
ments. Scaliger's two volumes contained almost all 
that was known on the subject at the commencement 
of the eighteenth century. Additions have been 
made to it by Gruter, Grsevius and others. Webb 
also published a large collection of ludicrous, panegy- 
rical and moral epitaphs in the year 1777. " Kenrick's 
little work on Roman inscriptions in England is very 
good. Tissington's, Loarings and Pettigrew's col- 
lections are also worthy of mention. And the 



34 INTRODUCTION. 

" Christian inscriptions of the first six centuries" 
have been ably treated by Dr. McCaul, the learned 
President of the University of Toronto, Canada, 

From these and other widely different sources, we 
learn that in every land in every time, all peoples 
practice and reverence funeral rites in some form, and 
cherish a certain solicitude and veneration for the 
lifeless body. 

But " never has the tenement from which vitality 
has escaped, been held so precious as it is to-day. 
We make a fetich of it, though it turns to loathing 
under our sorrowing eyes. We perpetuate our 
wretched vanity in honoring insensate dust, and carve 
marble with sonorous fiction to hide the sordid facts 
of life. Very often we neglect and disparage human- 
ity in the flesh, and esteem and eulogize him in the 
grave. Examination has more power than great 
deeds to make heroes, for the shadow of the tomb is 
a glamour to the living. " The earliest murmur of 
fame is frequently the echo of the first earth thrown 
on the coffin-lid. And yet of the disposition of the 
body after death, what matters it? ~No one may say 
who was wisest — the Egyptian who embalmed, the 
Greek who burned or the Celt who buried. It is of 
no import to the departed whether they be exposed to 
the birds of the air — like the Sioux Indians — or their 
tombs be covered with immortelles. 

Then let us anticipate mortuary devotion by kind- 
ness to the living. Let us put our prospective mon- 



INTRODUCTION. 35 

nments into generous deeds this side the grave. Let 
us be so charitable and tender to our fellow-travelers 
journeying along the highway of life, that meeting 
them in the immeasurable future, they may remem- 
ber us not by storied urns or eulogistic epitaphs, but 
by the gentleness and sympathy and helpfulness we 
have shown them, when little both in time and action 
counted much." 

And as the last notes die away over the "wilderness 
of tombs," let us think of those words of Pope, whicli 
seem most apt: 

" Praises on tombs are trifles vainly spent, 
A man's good name is his best monument.". 




EMINENT PERSONAGES. 



EPITAPHS 



Eminent Personages. 



"On Fame's eternal camping-ground, 
Their silent tents are spread." — G'Hara. 



EPITAPH ON GEORGE WASHINGTON. 

1'N the family vault at Mount Vernon repose, en- 
cased in a beautiful sarcophagus of white marble, 
and enshrined in a people's love, the remains of 
one whose fame will ever, as now, till the world. 

Human liberty ! was the order of his march as he 
glided gently down the stream of life; and now a na- 
tion's homage gathers round his memory. 

Through a life of sixty-seven years, not a single spot 
can be found to dull the brightness of his character, 
and in all ages Americans will pronounce with love 
and reverence the name of George Washington. 

On the lid of the sarcophagus are engraved the na- 
tional emblem and this inscription, which appears 
" 39 



40 EPITAPHS ON 

more like an advertisement of a marble mason, than 
a just tribute to the memory of so great a man: 

WASHINGTON. 

By the permission of 

Lawrence Lewis, 

The surviving executor of 

George Washington, 

this sarcophagus 

was presented by 

John Struthers, 

of Philadelphia, Marble Mason, 

A. D. 1837. 

[Near the Battle Monument in the city of Balti- 
more, Md., stands the Washington Monument, the 
corner-stone of which was laid July 4th, 1815. It 
was erected by the state of Maryland at a cost of 
$260,000, and was nearly fifteen years in building, the 
statue of Washington having been raised to its po- 
sition October 19, 1829. The whole is constructed of 
white marble and has an altitude of 180 feet. The 
new National Monument of Washington, now in 
course of erection, will, when completed, stand 485 
feet in air, — an altitude exceeding by five feet that of 
the boasted pyramid of Cheops in Egypt.] 

ON THOMAS JEFFERSON. 

Entombed at Monticcllo, Va., rests one of the most 
conspicuous of American worthies, Thomas Jefferson, 
whose fame, as time dispels the mists of prejudice, 
will shine with ever-increasing luster. 



c 



EMINENT PERSONAGES. 41 

Tlie inscription on the tomb reads as follows: 

Here lies buried 

Thomas J efferson, 

Author of the Declaration of American Independence, 

Of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, 

And Father of the University of Virginia. 



ON BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. 



In a retired part of the burial ground at the corner 
of 5th and Arch streets, Philadelphia, surrounded by 
a neat iron railing — which was in 1858 substituted for 
the brick wall that originally inclosed the spot — rest 
the remains of the great statesman Franklin, side by 
6ide with those of the partner of his life. 

The plain stone that covers their resting-place, al- 
though strikingly unworthy the memory, declares to 
us the beauty of his character far better than any epi- 
taph. Its plan was contemplated by him before his 
death (1790), and particularly ordered in the follow- 
ing codicil to his will, dated 23d June, 1789: " I wish 
to be buried by the side of my wife if it may be, and 
that a marble stone to be made by Chambers, six feet 
long and four feet wide, plain, with only a small 
moulding round the upper edges, and this inscrip- 
tion:" 

Benjamin ) 

and j- Franklin. 
Deborah ) 

• At the age of twenty- three, while yet a journeyman 
printer, he wrote for himself this epitaph: 



c 



4:2 EPITAPHS ON 

The Body 

of 

Benjamin Franklin, Printer, 

(Like the covers of an old book, 

Its contents torn out, 

And stript of its lettering and gilding,) 

Lies food for worms ; 

Yet the work itself shall not be lost, 

For it will (as he believed) appear once more, 

In a new 

And more beautiful edition, 

Corrected and amended 

b J 
The Author. 

ON DANIEL WEBSTER. 

Born Jan. 18th, 1782. Died Oct. 24th, 1852. 

Echoing from the tomb of Webster comes the 
aphorism, "The gospel" — "a divine reality." 

" Philosophical argument, especially that drawn 
from the vastness of the Universe, in comparison with 
the apparent insignificance of this globe, has some- 
times shaken my reason for the faith which is in me; 
but my heart has always assured and re-assured me, 
that the gospel of Jesus Christ must be a divine re- 
ality. The Sermon on the Mount cannot be a merely 
human production. This belief enters into the very 
depth of my conscience. The whole history of man 
proves it." — Daniel Webster. ) 



EMINENT PERSONAGES. 4X> 

ON JOHN ADAMS. 

'Libertatem Amicitiam Fidem Retinebis. — 
D. O. M. (Deo. optimo Maximo)" 

Beneath these walls 

Are deposited the mortal remains of 

John Adams, 

Son of John and Susanna (Bojalston) Adams, 

Second President of the United States. 

Born 19-30 October, 1735. 

On the Fourth of July, 1776 

He pledged his Life, Fortune and Sacred Honour 

To the Independence of His Country. 

On the third of September, 1783, 

He affixed his Seal to the definite treaty with Great Britain 

Which acknowledged that Independence, 

And consummated the redemption of his pledge. 

On the Fourth of July, 1826, 

He was summoned 

To the Independence of Immortality 

And to the Judgment of his God. 

This House will bear witness to his Piety ; 

This Town his Birth-place, to his munificence; 

History to his Patriotism ; 

Posterity to the depth and compass of his mind. 

At his side 

Sleeps till the Trump shall sound. 

Abigail, 

His beloved and only wife, 

Daughter of William and Elizabeth (Quincy) Smith. 

In every relation of life a pattern 

Of Filial, Conjugal, Maternal and Social Virtue. 

Born 11-22 November, 1744. 

Deceased 28 October, 181 8. 

Aged 74. 



Married 25 October, 1764. 

During a union of more than half a century 



44 EPITAPHS ON 

They survived, in Harmony of Sentiment, Principle and Aff. 
The Tempest of Civil Commotion : 
Meeting undaunted, and surmounting 
• The Terrors and Trials of that Revolution 
Which secured the freedom of this country, 
Improved the condition of their times, 
And brightened the prospects of Futurity 
To the Race of Man upon Earth. 

Pilgrim, 
From lives thus spent thy earthly duties learn, 
From Fancy's dreams to active Virtue turn, 
Let Freedom, Friendship, Faith, thy soul engage, 
And serve like them, thy Country and thy Age. 

Alongside the grave of his father, and overshadow- 
ed by trees that had sheltered his head in the days of 
his childhood, in a plain tomb prepared under his own 
direction, and inscribed simply with his name, sleep 
the ashes of John Quincy Adams. 

ON WOLFE AND MONTCALM. 

In the Palace Garden, Quebec, Canada,,, stands a 
monument erected to the memory of Wolfe and 
Montcalm, opposing leaders in the inter-colonial 
campaign of 1759, who died at the taking of Quebec, 
on the Plains of Abraham. Engraven on the monu- 
ment is this tribute: 

Wolfe — Montcalm. 
Mortem virtus com mux em 

Famam historia 

monumentum posteritas 

Dedit 

A. D. 1S27. 



EMINENT PERSONAGES. 45 

[Translation. — Military virtue gave them a com- 
mon death. History a common tame. Posterity a 
common monument.] 

ON MONTCALM. 

In the chapel of the Ursuline Convent, Quebec, may 
be seen this additional tribute to Marquis de Mont- 
calm: 

Honneur 

a 

Montcalm. 

Le destin, en lui derobant 

La victoire, 
L' a recompense par 
Une mort glorieuse. 

[Translation. — Houor to Montcalm. Fate, in de- 
nying him the victory, has recompensed him by a 
glorious death.] 



C 



ON JOHN HARVARD. 

J 



In piam et perpetuam memoriam 
JOHANNIS HARVARDII, 

annis fere ducentis post obitum ejus peractis 

Academias quae est Cantabrigkv 

Nov— Anglorum Alumni, 

ne diutius vir de litteris nostris optime meritus 

sine monumento quamvis humili jaceret 

hunc lapidem ponendum curaverunt 

On the twenty-sixth day of September, A. D. 1828, 

this stone was erected by the 

Graduates of the University at Cambridge 

in honor of its founder 

who died at Charlestown, Mass., 

On the twenty-sixth day of September, A. D. 1638. 



46 EPITAPHS ON 

ON SAMUEL .JOHNSON. 

At Stratford, Conn. : 

M. S. Samuelis Johnson, D. D., collegii regalis, Novi Eboraci, 
praesidis primi, et hujus eclesiae nuper rectoris. Natus die 14 to. 
Octob. 1696, obiit 6 to. Jan. 1772. 

It" decent dignity and modest mien, 

The cheerful heart, and countenance serene: 

If pure religion, and unsullied truth, 

His age's solace, and his search in youth : 

If piety in all the paths he trod, 

Still rising vig'rous to his Lord and God ; 

If charity, through all the race he ran, 

Still wishing well, and doing good to man ; 

If learning, free from pedantry and pride, 

Of faith and virtue, walking side by side; 

If well to mark his being's aim and end, 

To shine through life a husband, father, friend ; 

If these ambition in thy soul can raise, 

Excite thy reverence, or demand thy praise ; 

Reader, ere yet thou quit this earthly scene, 

Revere his name and be what he has been. 

Mvles Cooper. 

ON GEORGE CLINTON. 

At Washington, D. C. : 

To the memory of George Clixtox. He was born in the state 
of New York, on the 26 of July, 1739, and died at the city ot 
Washington, on the 20 April, 1S11, in the 73 year of his age. 

He was a soldier and statesman. Eminent in counsel, distin- 
guished in war, he filled with unexampled usefulness, purity and 
ability, among many other high offices, those of governor of his 
native state, and vice-president of the United States. While he 
lived, his virtue, wisdom and valour were the pride, the ornament 
and security of his country; and when he died he left an illustrious 
example of a well-spent life worthy of all imitation. 

This monument is aftectionatelv dedicated by his children. 



EMINENT PERSONAGES. 47 

ON THOMAS DAWES. 

At Boston, Mass.: 

Thomas Dawes, A. A. S., born 5 August, 1731, died, 2 Jan- 
uary, 1809, a? tat 78. 

Of his taste for the Grecian simplicity in architecture, there are 
many monuments which he raised when that art was new to us. 

The records of Massachusetts show that he was one ot her active 
legislators from the year 1776, until he was 70 years old, when he 
retired with faculties unimpaired. 

To the fiscal concerns of this metropolis, to its literary and other 
institutions he was a zealous friend. 

He was an elector at the three first elections of president of the 
United Suites, and discharged various trusts to his own honor and 
the public good. 

ON ELIHU YALE. 

The monument of Elihu Yale, the founder of Yale 
College, New Haven, Conn., bears this inscription: 

Under this tomb lyes interr'd Elihu Yale of Place Gronow, Esq., 
born 5th April, 1648, and dyed the 8th of July, 1721, aged 73 years. 
Born in America, in Europe bred, 
In Afric travelled, and in Asia wed, 
Where long he lived and thrived, in London died, 
Much good, some ill, he did; so hope all's even, 
And that his soul thro' mercy's gone to heaven. 
You that survive and read, take care 
For this most certain exit to prepare, 
Where, blest in peace, the actions of the just 
Smell sweet and blossom in the silent dust. 

ON ELEAZAR WHEELOCK. 

At Hanover, N. H : : 

Hie requiescit corpus Eleazari Wheelock, S. T. D., academiai 



48 EPITAPHS ON 

morensis et collegii Dartmuthensis fundatoris et primi praesidis, 
Evangelio barbaros indomnit et excultis nova scientiae patefecit. Via- 
tor, i, et imitare, si poteris, tanta meritorum premia laturus. 1710 
natus, 1779 obiit. 

Here rests the body of Eleazar Wheelock, s. t. d. founder and 
first president of Dartmouth college and Moor's Charity School. By 
the gospel he subdued the ferocity of the savage, and to the civilized 
he opened new paths of science. Traveller, go, if you can, and de- 
serve the sublime reward of such merit. He was born in the year 
1 7 10, and died in 1779. Pietate filii Johannis Wheelock hoc monu- 
mentum constitutum inscriptumque fuit, anno 1S10. 

ON WILLIAM CODDINGTON. 

A sepulchral stone, mildewed with age, standing in 
the old cemetery at Newport, JR. I., bears the follow- 
ing inscription : 

To the memory of William Coddingtox, Esq., that illustrious 
man who first purchased this Island from the Narraganset Sachems 
Cannonicus and Matinomo, for and on account of himself and sev- 
enteen others, his associates in the purchase and settlement. He 
presided many years as Chief Magistrate of the Island and Colony 
of Rhode Island, and died much respected and lamented, Nov. 1 
1678, aged 78 years. ' 

ON JOHN COGGESHALL. 

In the Kuggles-farm burying ground, Newport, 
JR. /., is a granite obelisk, the base of which is in- 
scribed: '» To the memory of John Coggeshall, First 
President of this Colony: died Nov. 27, 1649, jEt. 
57." On the upper part .is written, "Erected by a 
Lineal Descendant, 1855." 



EMINENT PERSONAGES. 49 

ON ETHAN ALLEN. 

A tomb-stone near Burlington, Vt., says: 

The 

Corporeal part 

of 

GENERAL ETHAN ALLEN 

rests beneath this stone, 

The 1 2th day of Feb., 1789 

Aged 50 years. 

His spirit tried the mercies of his God 

In whom alone he believed and strongly trusted. 

ON JOSEPH WARREN. 

This epitaph may be seen on a monument erected 
to the memory of General Warren, in Boston, Mass.: 

In honor of 

JOSEPH WARREN, 

Major-general of Massachusetts Bay : 

He devoted his life to the liberties 

Of his country ; 

and in bravely defending them, fell 

an early victim, 

In the battle of Bunker's Hill, 

June 17, 1775. 

The Congress of the United States, 

As an acknowledgment of his services, 

And distinguished merit, 

Have erected this monument 

To his memory. 

ON HUGH MERCER. 

General Mercer's monument in Fredricksburg, 
Virginia, bears the following: 



50 EPITAPHS ON 

Sacred to the memory of 

HUGH MERCER. 

Brigadier-general in the army of 

The United States : 

He died on the 12th of January, 1777, of 

Wounds, he received on the 3d of the same month. 

Near Princetown, in New Jersey, 

Bravely defending the 

Liberties of America. 

The Congress of the United States, 

In testimony of his virtues, and their gratitude, 

Have caused this monument to be erected. 

ON THE BRANTS. 

Near the city of Brant ford, Out., Canada, on the 
Indian reservation, stands a relic, known as the "old 
Mohawk church."* It was the first church built in 
Upper Canada, and was erected by Brant and his 
followers in 1785. 

In a tomb just in the shadow of the church, on the 
right, rest the remains of Captain Joseph Brant or 
Thayendanegea, the noted chief of the Mohawks, dur- 
ing the American Revolution, and also those of his 
son, Capt. John Brant, or Tekarihogea, the warrior 
chief of 1812-15. On the tablet is the following in- 
scription : 

This Tomb 

is erected to the memory of 

Thayendanegea or 

Capt. Joseph Brant, 

Principal chief and 

Warrior of 

The Six Nation Indians. 

* Frontispiece. 



EMINENT PERSONAGES. 51 

By his fellow subjects and 

admirers of his fidelity and 

Attachment to the 

British crown. 

Born on the banks of the 

Ohio river 1742, died at 

Wellington Square, U. C, 1807. 

It also contains the remains 

of his son a.hyouwaighs or 

Capt. John Brant, 
who succeeded his father 

asTekarihogea and 

distinguished himself in 

the war of 1812-15. 

Born at the 

Mohawk village, U. C, 1795, 

Died at the same place, 1832. 

ON SAMUEL UNCAS. 

In the Mohegan Burial-ground, near Norwich, 
Conn., is the following to the memory of the noted 
chiefs Uncas and Sunseeto: 

SAMUEL UNCAS. 

For beauty, wit, for sterling sense 

For temper mild, tor eliquence, 

For courage bold, for things wauregan, 

He was the glory of Moheagan — 

Whose death has caused great lamentation 

Both to ye English and ye Indian Nation. 

ON SUNSEETO. 
Here lies the body of Sunseeto, 
Own son to Uncas, grandson to Oneeko, 
But now they are all dead, I think it is zuer/icegcn.* 
♦Meaning, all well or good news. 



52 EPITAPHS ON 



ON ORONO. 



At Oldtown, Maine, may be seen this epitaph on 
Orono, chief of the Penobscots, who died in 1801, 
aged 113 years: 

Safe lodged within his blanket, here below, 
Lie the last relics of old Orono; 
Worn down with toil and care, he in a trice 
Exchanged his wigwam for a paradise. 

ON BUFFALO. 

A stone in the old burial-ground at Bayfield, Wis., 
bears this inscription: 

BUFFALO, 

Principal Chief ot 

the Chippewas of 

Lake Superior. 

DIED 

Sept. 7th 1855 
Aged 96 years. 

ON O. H. PERRY. 

In the Island cemetery at Newport, R. I., may be 
seen a granite obelisk bearing this inscription: 

Oliver Hazard Perry : at the age of 27 he achieved the vic- 
tory of Lake. Erie, Sept. 10, 1813. Erected by the City of Newport. 

Within the same inclosure rest the remains of his 
son, to whose memory is inscribed the following: 

Christopher Grant Perry, eldest son of Commodore O. H. 
Perry: died 1854. An upright and good man. He was beloved 



EMINENT PERSONAGES. 53 

and valued for his virtue and usefulness; by his early death this 
community suffers a great loss : in the hearts of his family and 
friends lives daily the memory of his excellence as a sweet consola- 
tion in their enduring grief. 

ON SIR ISAAC BROCK. 

/ A tabular monument in St. PauVs Cathedral^ on J 
which Brock is represented as expiring in the arms 
of a British soldier, while an Indian is gazing sorrow- 
fully on the scene, bears this inscription : 

Erected at the public expense, 

to the memory of 

Major General 

SIR ISAAC BROCK 

who gloriously fell 
on the 13th of October 

MDCCCXII., 

in resisting an attack on 

Queenstown 

in Upper Canada. 

[On Queenstown Heights, Ontario, in an inclosure 
of 40 acres — a gift from the government — a monu- 
ment has been erected to the memory of this heroic 
officer. 

The base of the monument is forty feet square and 
thirty feet high. The whole structure, including the 
statue, is 216 feet high, and stands on an elevation of 
550 feet. It is ascended by 230 steps to a platform 
in the tower 200 feet from the ground, making 750 
feet above Niagara River and Lake Ontario.] 



54: EPITAPHS ON 

ON ALEXANDER HAMILTON. 

At Whehock, N.J.: 

On this spot fell, n July, 1804, in the 47 year of his age, Major 
General Alexander Hamilton. 

As an expression of their profound respect for his memory, and 
their unfeigned grief for his loss, the St. Andrew's Society of the 
State of New York have erected this monument. 

KxNew York,N. Y.\ 

To the memory of Alexander Hamilton. The corporation of 
Trinity Church has erected this monument in testimony of their re- 
spect for the patriot of incorruptible integrity, the soldier of approved 
valor, the statesman of consummate wisdom, whose virtues and tal- 
ents will be admired by grateful posterity, long after this marble 
shall be mouldered into dust. He died, 12 July, 1804, aged 47. 

ON THOMAS CLAPP. 

At New Haven, Conn.: 

Here lyeth the body of the reverend and learned Mr. Thomas 
Clapp, the late president of Yale College in New Haven ; a truly 
great man, a gentleman of superior natural genius, most assiduous 
application, and indefatigable industry. In the various branches of 
learning he greatly excelled ; an accomplished instructor; a patron of 
the college ; a great divine ; bold for the truth ; a zealous promoter 
and defender of the doctrines of grace ; of unaffected piety, and a 
pattern of every virtue; the tenderest of fathers and best of friends; 
the glory of learning and an ornament of religion; for thirteen 
years the faithful pastor of the church in Windham; and near 27 
years, the laborious and faithful president of the college, and, having 
served his own generation, by the will of God, with serenity and 
calmness, he fell on sleep, the 7th daj'of January, 1767, in his 64th 
year. 

Death, great proprietor of all, 

'Tis thine to tread out empires, 

And to quench the stars. 



EMINENT PERSONAGES. 55 

ON NORBORNE BERKELEY. 

At Williamsburg, Ya., on the pedestal of lord Bot- 
tetourt's white marble statue is inscribed: 

The right honourable Norborne Berkeley, baron de Bottetourt, his 
Majesty's late lieutenant and governor-general of the colon}' and 
dominion of Virginia. 

Underneath his lordship's arms: 

Rersurgo rege fevente. 

On the north side: 

Deeply impressed with the warmest sense of gratitude for his 
excellency, the right honourable lord Bottetourt's prudent and wise 
administration, and that the remembrance of those many publick 
and social virtues, which so eminently adorned his illustrious char- 
acter, might be transmitted to latest posterity, the general assembly 
of Virginia, on the 20th day of July, anno Dom. 1771, resolved with 
one united voice to erect this statue to his .lordship's memory. 

At a small distance underneath: 

Let wisdom and justice preside in our country, the people will re- 
joice and must be happy. 

On the east side: 

Concordia. 

On the south side, alluding to the figures of Brit- 
tania and America holding Olive branches which 
unite above an altar, from which a flame arises: 

America! behold your friend! who leaving his native country, 
declined those additional honors, which were there in store for him 



56 EPITAPHS ON 

that he might heal your -wounds, and restore tranquillity and happi- 
ness to this extensive continent. With what zeal and anxiety he 
pursued these glorious objects, Virginia thus bears her grateful testi- 
mony. 

ON WILLIAM BRADFORD. 

At Philadelphia, Pa.: 

This tablet, sacred to the memory of William Bradford, late attor- 
ney-general of the United States, and formerly attorney -general and 
a judge of the supreme court of Pennsylvania, is inscribed by his dis- 
consolate \vidow,as a solemn tribute of affection and respect. In private 
life he had acquired the esteem of all his fellow-citizens ; in professional 
attainments he -was learned as a lawyer, eloquent as an advocate ; in 
the execution of his publick offices he was vigilant, dignified and im- 
partial ; yet in the bloom of life ; in the maturity of every faculty, that 
could invigorate and embellish the human mind ; in the prosecution 
of the most important services that a citizen could render to his 
country ; in the perfect enjoyment of the highest honors that pub- 
lick confidence could bestow upon an individual ; blessed in all the 
pleasures which a virtuous reflection could furnish from the past, 
and animated by all the incitements, which an honourable ambition 
could depict in the future ; he has ceased to be mortal. 

A fever, produced by a fatal assiduity in performing his official 
trust, at a crisis interesting to the nation, suddenly terminated the 
utility of his publick career, extinguished the splendor of his pri- 
vate prospects, and on the 23rd day of May. 1795, in the 40th year 
of his age, consigned him to the grave, lamented, honored and 
beloved. 

ON SAMUEL DONNELL. 

At New YorhN. Y.: 

Here lies the body of the Hon. Samuel Donnell, Esq., one of 
the first counsellors of Massachusetts under their present charter, 
and justice of the peace and judge of the inferior court in the coun- 
ty of York. He died 9 March, 1717-18, in the 72 year of his age. 



EMINENT PERSONAGES. 57 



ON JOSEPH REED. 



At Philadelphia, Par. 

In memory of the virtues, talents, and eminent services ot 
Gen. Joseph Reed, born in the state of New Jersey, on the 27 of 
August, 1741. He devoted himself to the pursuit of knowledge, 
and early engaged in the study of the law. By his erudition, judg- 
ment and eloquence, he soon rose to the highest eminence at the 
bar ; but at the call of his country, forsaking every private pursuit, 
he followed her standard into the field of battle, and by his wisdom 
in council and his conduct in action essentially promoted the revolu- 
tion in America. Distinguished for his manj' public virtues, he was 
on the 1 of December 1778, unanimously elected president of this 
state. Amidst the most difficult and trying scenes, his administration 
exhibited disinterested zeal and firmness of decision. In private life 
accomplished in his manners, pure in his morals, fervent and faith- 
ful in all his attachments, he was beloved and admired. On the 5 of 
March 1785, too soon for his country and his friends, he closed a life 
active, useful and glorious. 

ON THOMAS WILLETT. 

At Barrington^ R. I.: 

Anno 1674. Here lyeth the body of the worthy Thomas Willett, 
esq., who died 4 August, in the 64 year of his age, who was the first 
mayor of New York and twice did sustain that place. 

ON RICHARD MONTGOMERY. 

At St. Paul's, New York,N J '.: 

This monument is erected by the order of Congress, 25 January, 
1776, to transmit to posterity a grateful remembrance of the patri- 
otism, conduct, enterprise, and perseverance of major general 
Rk hard Montgomery, who after a series of successes amidst the 
most discouraging difficulties, fell, in the attack on Quebec, 31 De- 
cember, 1775, aged 37 years. 



58 epitaphs on 

on john olovp;r. 
At Marblehead, Mass.: 

Erected with filial affection to the memory of the hon. John 
Glover, esquire, brigadier general in the late continental army> 
who died, 30 January, 1797, aged 64 years. 

ON JOHN LELAND. 

In the old Cheshire Cemetery, Mass., is the follow- 
ing epitaph on Elder Leland, the man who carried 
the big cheese to Jefferson : 

Here lies the body of 

Rev. John Leland, 

Who labored 67 years 

To promote piety and vindicate 

The civil and religious liberty of all mankind. 

ON O. M. AND J. H. HANCOCK. 

In the Yazoo City Cemetery may be seen a stone 
bearing this inscription : 

Here lie two grandsons of John Hancock — first signer of the 
Declaration of Independence. (Their names are respectively 
George M. and John H. Hancock,) and their eminence hangs on 
their having had a grandfather. 

ON ANTHONY WAYNE. 

From the superb monument erected in the burial 
ground appertaining to Radnor Church, Chester 
( 1 oimty, Penn. : 

In honor of the distinguished military services of major general 
Wayne, and as an affectionate tribute of respect to his memory. 



EMINENT PERSONAGES. 59 

this stone was erected by his companions in arms, the Pennsyl- 
vania state society of Cincinnati, 4 July, A. D. 1809, thirty-fourth 
anniversary of the independence of the United States of America, an 
event which constitutes the most appropriate eulogium of an Amer- 
ican soldier and patriot. 

On another side of the monument is the following: 

Major general Anthony Wayne was born at Waynesborough,. 
in Chester county, state of Pennsylvania, A. D. 1745. After a life 
of honour and usefulness, he died, in December, 1796, at a military 
post, on the shore of Lake Erie, commander in chief of the army of 
the United States. His military achievements are consecrated in 
the history of his country, and in the hearts of his countrymen. 
His remains are here deposited. 

ON ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

This monument is erected to the memory of the Hon. Israel Put- 
nam, Esq., Maj. Gen. in the armies of the U. S. A., who was born 
at Salem in the province of Mass., on the 7th day of Jany., 1718, 
and died at Brooklyn in the state of Conn., on the 29th day of May,. 
A. D. 1798. 

Passenger, if thou art a soldier, go not away till thou hast drop- 
ped a tear over the dust of a Hero, who ever tenderly attentive to 
the lives and happiness of his men, dared to lead where any one 
dared to follow. 

If thou art a patriot, remember with gratitude how much thou 
and thy country owe to the disinterested and gallant exertions of 
the Patriot who sleeps beneath this marble. If thou art an honest, 
generous and worthy man, render a sincere and cheerful tribute of 
respect to a man whose generosity was singular, whose honesty was 
proverbial, and who with a slender education, with small advan- 
tages and without powerful friends, raised himself to universal es- 
teem, and to offices of eminent distinction by personal worth, and 
by the diligent services of a useful life. 



60 EPITAPHS ON 

ON STEPHEN A. DOTTG-LASS. 

At "Douglass Place," Chicago, Ills., stands a par- 
tially completed monument to the memory of Judge 
Douglass, who was born April 23d, 1813, and died 
June 3d, 1866. 

The inscription reads: 

" Tell my children to obey the laws and uphold the constitution" 
ON ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 

In Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois, 
stands the National Lincoln Monument. It was 
erected by W. D. Richardson, under the direction of 
the National Lincoln Monument Association, and 
dedicated on October 15th, 1874. 

It is now open for the inspection of visitors for the 
nominal sum of twenty-five cents, and the association 
may be congratulated in securing the services of so 
able a custodian as Mr. J. C. Power. 

The ground plan of the monument measures one 
hundred and nineteen feet from north to south, and 
seventy-two and one-half from east to west. The 
height from the ground line to the apex of the obelisk 
is ninety-eight feet four and one-half inches. 

The statue of Mr. Lincoln, writes Mr. Power in his 
Illustrated description of the Monument, stands on a 
pedestal projecting from the south side of the obelisk 
having the United States Coat of Arms in bronze, 
sunk in a recess on its front. 

The Coat of Arms is somewhat modified, so that 



EMINENT PERSONAGES. f> I 

the shield with part of the stars obscured supports 
the American Eagle. The olive-branch on the ground 
shows that having been tendered until it was spurned 
by the rebels, it was then cast under foot. 

Then the conflict began, and raged until the chain 
of slavery was torn asunder, one part remaining 
grasped in the talons of the eagle, and the other held 
aloft in its beak. The Coat of Arms in the position 
it occupies on the monument is intended to typify 
the Constitution of the United States. Mr. Lincoln, 
on the pedestal above it, makes the whole an illustra- 
tion of his position at the outbreak of the rebellion. 
He took his stand on the Constitution, as his author- 
ity for using the four arms of the war-power of the 
government — the Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, and 
the Navy, which are to be represented in groups 
around him — to hold together the States which are 
represented still lower down the monument, by a 
cordon of tablets, linking them together as it were, in 
a perpetual bond of Union. 

On the south front of the monument, just beneath 
the statue, and about thirty feet above the ground, 
raised letters a foot long may be seen, composing the 
one word, 

LINCOLN. 

This simple inscription, together with the names 
of the States, which are engraved on ashlars repre- 
senting shields, constitutes all the lettering on the 
monument. 



62 EPITAPHS ON 

At the north front, is the Vestibule to the Cata- 
comb. Inside the vestibule, in front of the central 
crypt — the catacomb being divided into five crypts — 
is a marble sarcophagus, enclosing a red cedar shell, 
within which is a tightly soldered lead coffin, contain- 
ing all that was mortal of Abraham Lincoln. 

The north end or head of the sarcophagus is near 
the grated door of the vestibule, and bears the follow- 
ing inscription — the central word of which is sur- 
rounded by an oaken wreath, and this by that grand 
quotation from Lincoln's inaugural address: 

" With malice towards none." 
LINCOLN. 

11 With charity to all." - -» 



Of such mighty benefactors of mankind, Words- 
worth says, as they are not only known by the imme- 
diate Survivors, but will continue to be known famil- 
iarly to latest posterity, they do not stand in need of 
delineations of character to individualize them. This 
is already' done by their works, in the memories of 
men. Their naked names, and a grand comprehen- 
sive sentiment of civic gratitude, patriotic love, or 
human admiration; or the utterance of some elemen- 
tary principle most essential in the constitution of 
true virtue; or an intention communicated in ade- 
quate words of the sublimity of intellectual power, — 
these are the only tribute which can here be paid — 



EMINENT PERSONAGES. 63 

the only offering that upon such an xlltar would not 
be unworthy: 

' " What needs my Shakespeare for his honored bones 
The labor of an age in piled stones, 
Or that his hallowed relics should lie hid, 
Under a starry -pointing pyramid? 
Dear Son of Memory, great Heir of Fame, 
What needst thou such weak witness to thy name? 
Thou in our wonder and astonishment, 
Hast built thyself a livelong monument." } 




ADMONITORY EPITAPHS. 



Admonitory Epitaphs. 



"Strive to live well; 

And then, how soon soe'er thou die, 

Thou art of age to claim eternity." — Randolph. 

In the old bnryiug-gronnd in Dorchester, Mass., 
we read : 

"here-lieth-bl ried-ye-body-of 
Mr.-William-Poole-aged-Si-years 
who-died-ye-25th-of-febri- ary-in 
Ye-yere 1674. 
Ye-Epitaph-of -William-Poole - which-hee-himsell-make-while 
he-was-yet-living-in-remembrance-of-his-own-death-&-left-it-to 
be-ingraven - on - his - tomb - y t - so - being-dead-he-might-warn- 
posterity-or-a-resemblance-of-a-dead-man-bespeaking-ve-reader. 
Ho-passenger-tis- worth -thy-pains-too-stay 
&-take-a-dead-man's-lesson-by-ye-way 
I-was-what-now-thou-art-&-thou-shalt-be 
What-I-am-now-what-odds-twixt-me-&-thee 
Now-go-thy-way-but-stay-take-one-word-more 
Thy-staf-for-ought-thou-knowest-stands-ye-next-dore 
Death-in-ye-dore-yea-dore-of-Heaven-or-Hell 
Be-warned-be-armed-believe-repent-fairewell. 

»;; 



68 ADMONITORY 

A tombstone in the graveyard at Newtown, Penn., 
has the following: 

Here lies the body of William Evans, who departed this life, 
September the 29th, 1734, aged, 52 years. 

My: pilgrim: race: I: ran: apace 
My : resting :place is here : 
This : stone : is : got : to : keep ye spot — 
That men dig not too near. 

At the cemetery in New Preston, Conn., is an an- 
cient stone, dated 1782, bearing these lines: 

Ye people all now pass by, 
Stop here and vew this place. 
Remember shortly you must die 
Who are of Adams race. 

The following is from the tombstone of Charles 
Wyman, who died in 1785 and was interred in the 
old burying-ground near Boston: 

Beneath these clods of silent dust, 
I sleep where all ye living must; 
The gayest youth and fairest face, 
In time must be in this dark place. 

From the old west burying-ground in Litchfield, 
Conn.: 

Wife and children 12 

Behold and see 
Prepare in time 

To follow me. 1785. 



In memory of 

Mr. Samuel Cutter 

who departed this life 



EPITAPHS. 69 

April 7th, 1791, 
A ged 55 years. 



A sovVeign God, who set my bounds, 
Did quickly take my breath, 
Be ready then each hour you live 
To meet an instant death. 

At Andover, Mass. : 

John Abbott, 1793, ait. 90. 
Grass, smoke, a flower, a vapor, shade, a span, 
Serve to illustrate the frail life of man; 
And they, who longest live, survive to see 
The certainty of death, of life the vanity. 

At New Preston. Conn.: 
1794. 

Here lies interred a blooming youth, 
Who lived in love and died in truth. 
Behold and see as you pass by, 
As you are now so once was I, 
As I am now so you must be; 
Prepare for death and follow me. 

Aii old gravestone at Kennebunk, Maine, has the 
following : 

Rev. Daniel Little, 1S01. 
Memento mori ! preached his ardent youth, 
Memento mori ! spoke maturer years ; 
Memento mori! sighed his latest breath, 
Memento mori ! now this stone declares. 

On big William Smith, killed by the Pennamites, 
in the Wyoming Valley, Perm.: 

17S4. 

Here lies the bodv of 



70 ADMONITORY 

William Smith 
Mortals attend — he was 
called forthwith. 
He left the world at 
twenty-five. 
A warning to all 
that's jet alive. 
His zeal for justice 
Tho' hard to relate, 
It caused his flight 
from this mortal state. 

A tombstone in Princeton, Mass., bears this in- 
scription to the memory of twins, one of which, how- 
ever, seems to be non est: 

Erected in memory of 

Mr. Ephraim Jones, son of 

Major and Mrs. Mary Jones, 

who died June 21st, 1784 JE. 27 years. 

In womb of Mother Earth enclosed 
These fleeting Twins ly here repos'd 
Tn sprightly youth resign'd their Breath 
United both in life and Death 

On a stone in the graveyard at Westfield, Mass., 
may be seen this non-committal inscription: 

Kind reader: — this stone informs 
you who we are ; what we were we 
tell you not. What we ought to 
have been, that be thou, where we 
now are you will know hereafter. 
Remember that Christ is the resurrection and the life. 



EPITAPHS. 71 

From Hadley, Mass.: 

Here lies buried 
the Remains 

of 

John Dwight 

fourth son of Rev. Timothy Dwight 

President of Y. College, 

and Mary his wife. 

This youth was born at Greenfield 

in Connecticut 

Sept. i st 1784. 

And died in Hadley July 25 1803. 

in the 19th year of his age, the next 

after he had received the degree of 

Bachelor of Arts in that Seminary. 

Reader 
If thou art a youth ot hopeful talents, an enlightened education 
and an intence love to knowledge, a disposition distinguished by 
amiableness and a life by filial duty, fraternal affection, and univer- 
sal gentleness of demeanor: 

Remember 

That with all these advantages thou art 

destined to the grave and to Eternity ! 

There was hope in his end. 

May there be hope in thine. 

From a stone in the bnrying-ground at Hadley, 
Mass. : 

In memory ot 

Miss Mary Cook, who 

died 

Aug. 5th, 1806, in 

32d year of 

her age. 

Look on my friends and see 



72 ADMONITORY 

What y ou must shortly be ; 

When God sends death you all must die 

And feel his dart as well as I. 

From Amherst, Mass., comes the following: 

Sacred to the Memory 
of Moses Dickinson 
Esqr. Who quit this 
dusky Stage In the 
86th year of his age. 
Which was on April 
ye 9th, 1803. 

Death is not an eternal sleep, 
Therefore my friends you need not weep ; 
But look by faith beyond the grave, 
That you some soled peace may have. 

A stone by the roadside in Hadley, Mass., bears 
the following: 

To the memory 

of 

Chester Smith 

Fourth Son of Mr. Joseph Smith 

Who on this spot was instantly killed 

By the upsetting of a load of wood 

January 25 AD 1S10. 

^Etats icjrs. 

Passenger 
Hast thou a son of promising hopes 
Set not thine heart upon him. With 
submission resign him to that Being, who 
destroyeth the hopes of Man. 
Art thou a youth endued (?) with vigor 
and blooming in expectation of future 



EPITAPHS. 73 

earthly joys. Remember that man 
knoweth not his time as the fishes are 
taken in an evil net and as the birds are 
caught in a snare, so are the sons of men 
snared iu an evil time when it falleth 
suddenly upon them. 

From Tarrytoion, JV. Y. : 

In 

Memory of 

Louisa Deutcher 

Daughter of John 

and Jemima Deutcher, 

who departed this life 

June 22d 1814, 

aged 13 years, 6 months, 

and iS days. 

Hark, my young friends the arrows 

Of death now rides swiftly along 

She was one of our number just in her bloom 

She is called away by death and staid in the tomb. 

Although she is dead she is speaking to you 
Be prepared for to meet the last troubles of life 
That your spirit may be carried 
To the mansions of light. 

Although she is dead she invites you to come 
Look you in the churchyard and read it with care 
Remember it is nothing before our bodies lie there 
For there she lies moulding and turning to clay. 

A tombstone in the cemetery at New !/<(/:<//. 
Conn., erected to the memory of Elizabeth Day. wife 



74 ADMONITORY 

of James Day, one of the former Presidents of Yale 
College, bears this inscription, written by herself: 

I would not wish that those I love. 
Should wander here at close of day 

And think of her o'er whom they rove 
As dwelling only with decay. 

No, but in each familiar spot 
That both to them and me is dear, 

There I would not be all forgot, 
Yet ne'er remembered with a tear. 



At Milford, Penn., is the following: 

John Breck, 
departed this life April 19, 1819, aged 11 yrs — 

Come all ye mourners to the tomb 
See here a youth cut off in bloom, 
Although he's hurried to his last 
We hope the Lord hath found him rest. 

This be a warning to ye all 

Should at your house a sick youth call. 

It's not a secret for to keep, 

But let his parents know of it. 



Inscribed on a tombstone in the graveyard at Hod- 
ley, Mass., is the following: 

Roger R — son 

of 

Windsor and Elizabeth Smith, 

died 

2 Nov. 1 81 9, JE. 23. 



EPITAPHS. 75 

Youth! canst thou heedless view 
The relics of the dead : 
O think : beneath your feet 
There lies your likeness. 

A stone in Bedford burying-gronnd, Mass., has 
this couplet: 

An angels arms can't snatch you from the grave, 
Legions of angels can't confine us here. 

In the burying-ground at Sturbridge, Mass.: 

Horace Fisher, son of Rev. Arial and Betsey Fisher, 

Born, Nov. 16, 1817, Died at Pawtucket, R. I. 

Jany 22, 1836, aged 18. 

He was fitted for Brown University, but four weeks previous to 
the commencement for 1835, he had an attack of bleeding from the 
lungs, which terminated in a fatal consumption, and thus his hopes 
for this life, and the hopes of his friends were all blasted. 

In the death of this Son a Father weeps over the last of a once 
lovely family w r ho all here sleep silently together awaiting the 
morning of the Resurrection while he is expecting soon to lie down 
with them in the long sleep of death. 

Young Man, boast not of thy youth, thy strength, and thy golden 
prospects, they are no security against the shafts of Death. 
u Prepare to meet thy God." 

The three following come from Sturbridge, Mass.: 

My lifes ben short 
My soul has fled 
And I am numb 
ered with the dead. 



Death is a debt 
to nature due. 



76 ADMONITORY 

which I have paid 
& so must you. 



His dust waits till the jubilee, 
Shall then shine brighter than the sky, 
Shall meet and join to part no more 
With goodly parents thats gone before. 

In an old graveyard at Grafton, Vt., stands a 
double head-stone bearing the following inscriptions 
and epitaphs: 

Thomas K. Park, Jr., and 14 children of Thos. K. and 
Rebecca Park. 
Youth, behold and shed a tear. 
See fourteen children slumber here ; 
See their image how they shine 
Like flowers of a fruitful vine. 

In memory of Rebecca, wife of Mr. Thomas K. Park, 
who died 
Sept 23, 1803, in the 40th year of her age. 
Behold and see as you pass bv 
My fourteen children with me lie. 
Old and young you soon must die 
And turn to dust as well as I. 

The following is an inscription which may be 
found on a gravestone in the burial-ground at Wind- 
sor, Maine: 

Here lies the body of Richard Thomas, 
an inglishman by birth 
A Whig of '76. 
Bv occupation a cooper 
Now food for worms. 
Like an old rum puncheon 



EPITAPHS. 77 

Marked, numbered and shooked. 
He will be raised again 
and finished by his creator. 
He died Sept. 28, 1824; aged 75. 
America my adopted country 
My best advice to j ou is this 
take care of your liberties. 

The four following are from gravestones in Cal- 
vary Cemetery near Chicago. III.: 

Here lies the body of 

John R 

Died Jany 13th 1854, a g e( * 32 years. 
Remember man, beware my doom is thine 
Learn through me, to observe the Laws divine, 
I had been what thou art here this day, 
Like me you soon must sleep within the clay. 

Mary 
wife of 

Michael K 

Died Sept 19th 1862 
Aged 47 years. 
Remember man as you pass by 
As you are now so once was I 
As I am now, so shall you be 
Prepare for death and follow me. 

Win C 

Died May iSth 1862 
Aged 32 years. 
Go home my wife and dry up your tears 
Here I lie till Christ appears, 
When he comes I mean to rise 
Into a life that never dies. 



78 ADMONITORY 

Edward R 

Died Aug. 3d 1867 

Aged 35 years. 
Farewell dear wife my life is past 
My love to you while life did last, 
And after me no sorrows take 
But love my orphans for my sake. 

In a Saratoga cemetery is a tombstone with the 
following inscription : 

Emma, dau'r of Abraham and Matilda C, and wife of Theodore 
S., died Aug. 10, 1868, JE, 26 years, leaving five children — Married 
too young against her father's will. Single women, take warning. 

From Montgomery. Alabama, comes this admoni- 
tion: 

Stop as you pass by my 

Grave. Here, I 

John Schockler, R .... Ey. 

rest my remains. 

I was born in N. Orleans 

the 22d of Nov. 1841, 

was brought up by good 

friends ; not taking their 

advice, was drowned, 

in this City 

in the Ala. River, 

the 27th of May 1855; 

Now I warn all young and old, to beware of the dangers of this 

River, see how I am fixed in this watery grave ; I have got but two 

friends to mourn. 

From a Churchyard in Pennsylvania: 

Eliza, sorrowing, rears this marble slab 
To her dear John, who died of eating crab. 



EPITAPHS. 79 

On a gravestone in Ryegate, Vt., may be found 
the following lines: 

In memory of 

He died in July, in the Eightieth year ot the American Era. He 
was an active, honest, and successful merchant, and a firm Demo- 
cratic representative in the Legislature of Vermont. He died as he 
lived — happy. 

I lived on earth ; I died on earth ; 
In earth I am interred ; 
All that have life are sure of death ; 
The rest may be inferred. 

On a tombstone in New Jersey is this significant 
couplet : 

Julia Adams, 
Died of thin shoes, April 17th 1839, aged 19 years. 

A tombstone at Sturb ridge Mass., bears the fol- 
lowing dialogue : 

Sarah S. daughter of Elijah & Lydia Gibbs 
died Feb. 8, A. D. 1843 
Aged 20 
" The memory of the just is blessed." Prov. 10.7. 
This monumental marble is placed here by Saml. P. Crawford of 
Woodstock, in grateful remembrance of Miss G. who was his par- 
ticular friend. 

There was a time, that time is past, 
When youth, I bloomed like thee, 
The time will come, 'tis coming fast, 
When thou shalt fade like me. 

Sarah 
Sleep, Sarah, Sleep, & take thy rest, 
God called thee home, he thought it best. 

Preston. 



80 ADMONITORY 

From a tombstone in Connecticut: 

Tis child and tomb who from the womb 
Remind us of our death — 
All's vanity, for we must die 
And gone as in a breath — 

Glory to God, the Lord of Hosts, 
By Quakers, Friends and Holy Ghosts, 
Let saints and angels all be blest, 
Our souls ascend and bodies rest. 

From the grave of a sino-mo;-m.aster in the church- 
yard of the village oi"Harpole: 

He lamed singing far and near 

Full twenty year and more ; 

But fatal death hath stopped his breath. 

And he can larne no more. 

His scholars all that are behinde, 

Singing he did unfold ; 

Exhorting all their God to minde, 

Before they turn to molde. 

On Mr. Daniel Nojes' tomb-stone: 

As you are, so was 7 

God did call and I did dy. 

Now Children all whose name is Xoyes, 

Make Jesus Christ 

Your only choice. 

On a tombstone at Gettysburg, Pena.: 

Remember man as 

you pass by that 

vou must die as well as I. 



EPITAPHS. 81 

On the tombstone of Mr. Thomas Clark, who died 
at the age of 84, and his wife who died several years 
after at the same advanced age, may be found the 
following stanzas: 

The father's voice is heard no more, 
Though spared to fourscore years and four, 
Let sleeping dust in accents cry, 
To children dear prepare to die. 

Advanced in life to equal years, 

The mother also disappears, 

Let death the warning still repeat, 

Prepare your friends in heaven to meet. 

The following is from the Potter's-field at York- 
mile, Canada: 

Come all young men as you pass by 

And stop and read before you cry. 

I am the mother of 7 children, 

4 sons have I. 

3 of them was wicked and wild which 

caused me here to lie. 
The 8th of April I walked to the jail. I saw my son in chains. 
The 16th of April I took my bed, the 25th then I died. I have an 
honest and industrious husband that you all know so well. He 
provided a living for us while travelling here below. My sister. 
standing by my side, thus to me did say: — 'Have YOU made yolk 
peace with the lord? I answered 'Yea.' I bowed my head, 
closed my eyes, and said, 'good by, my friends, good by : 1 have no 
more to say.' 

In Eose Hill Cemetery near Chicago, III., is a 

monument bearing this inscription: 

LUDLAM. 

In this retreat of Natures quiet joy 



82 ADMONITORY 

Be sacred ground here let the forms that bear 
Our hearts upon them lie in peace. 
Here let our own mortality drop down to rest 
Here let us come to learn and feel how small 
The interest of time — how vast the worth 
Of that which hath no end. 

On the tombstone of a Connecticut deacon's wife: 

Here lies cut down like unripe fruit; 
The wife of deacon Amos Shute; 
She died of drinking too much coffee, 
Anny Dominy eighteen forty. 

From Charleston, South Carolina: 

Reader, I've left this world, in which 

I had a world to do ; 
Sweating and fretting to get rich, — 
Just such a fool as you. 

On an unfortunate deacon we have the following: 

Here lies the body of Deacon Spear, 
Whose mouth did reach from ear to ear. 
Stranger tread lightly o'er the sod 
For if he yapes your gone — bv cod. 

On the wife of an early settler: 

She the first tenant of this lonely yard 
Where ne'er before a mourners voice was heard. 
Dear friends and neighbors I view her peaceful home, 
A few more days and hither to you must come. 

• A tombstone on Long Island, erected by a sea- 



KPITAPBft 83 

captain over his third wife, bears the following 
suggestive lines: 

Behold ye living mortals passing by, 
How thick the partners of one husband lie, 
Vast and unsearchable the ways of God : 
Just but severe his chastening rod. 



From a churchyard in Main 



e: 

Here beneath this stone there lies, 
Waiting a summons to the skies, 
The body of Samuel Jinking. 
He was an honest Christian man, 
His fault was that he took & ran 
Suddenly to drinking. 
Whoever reads this tablet o'er, 
Take warning now and drink no more. 

From Connecticut: 

My fellow Youth, stop here awhile, 
And see my monumental pile; 
Once I like you alive : But ah ! 
Am nothing now but native clay. 

From Calvary Cemetery, near Chicago, III. 

Stop, sinner, and consider 
What is your mortal state 
Repent and be converted 
Ere it be to late. 



This is from a tombstone in East Tenness 



ee : 



She lived a life of virtue and died of the Cholera, caused by eat- 
ing green fruit, in the hope of a blessed immortality, at the early 
age of 21 years 7 months and 16 days. Reader go thou and do 
likewise. 



84 ADMONITORY 

From a tombstone in Massachusetts: 

I came in the morning — it was Spring 
And I smiled, 
I -walked out at noon — it was Summer, 
And I was glad, 
I sat me down at even — it was Autumn, 
And I was sad, 
I laid me down at night— it was Winter, 
And I slept. 

In Calvary Cemetery, near Chicago, III., is a 
tombstone bearing this inscription: 

Go home my wife, dry up your tears, 
I am not dead, but sleeping here, 
I am not yours, but Christs alone — 
He loved me best, to Him I've gone. 

From the old burial-ground of the beautiful town 
of Ridgefield, Connecticut, we have the three follow- 
ing: 

To her whose memory we record. 

All words are wrote in vain ; 

But to the living it affords 

Her age, and death, and where she's lain. 

Remember this as you walk round. 
All must return into the ground; 
For by transgression in the garden 
Adam did receive his warning; 
And as God's word does prove true, 
I have returned, and so must you. 

Death the great conqueror, has took my friend away. 
Rest here, until the great judgment day ; 
No dropping tear or pardner's aching heart 
Can secure from deaths most cruel dart. 



EPITAPHS. 85 

At Ipswich , Mass.: 

Death is a debt to nature due, 

We've paid the debt, and so must you. 

This comes from a tombstone in .New Jersey: 

Reader pass on ! dont waste your time 
On bad biography and little rhyme ; 
For what I am this crumbling clay insures, 
And what I tuas\ is no affair of yours! 

In a churchyard in Connecticut, is a tombstone, 
the inscription on which concludes thus: 

In usual health I left my home 

To see my friends abroad 
There God sent death and cut me down 

O reader be prepared. 

A gravestone in the old west bttrying-ground, 
Litchfield, Conn., has this inscription: 

Death conquers all 
both young and old 
tho' ever so wise, discreet and bold 
in helth and strength this youth did die 
in a moment without one cry 
Killed by a cart. 

The following beautiful stanza is copied from the 
tomb of Mrs. .1) , Trenton^ New Jersey: 

The meed of merit ne'er shall die. 
Nor modest worth neglected lie. 
The tame that pious virtue gives, 



86 ADMONITORY. 

The Memphian monuments outlives. 
Reader, wouldst thou secure such praise. 
Go, learn Religion's pleasant ways. 

From a tombstone in Philadelphia. Pa.: 

Zum gedachtniss des wohl chuv. Herrn pfarrers John Conrad 
Steiners, welcher zu Winterthur in der Schweiz den i ten. Jan- 
uary 1707 geboren; im October, 1749, nach Philadelphia in Pen- 
sylvanien gekornmen; und nach dem er uber, 12 jahr, zu stadt und 
land das predigtamt treulich ver waltet, von seinem meister und 
erzhirten Jesu, hen 6 ten. July, 1762, in die ewige freid geruffen; 
seinis alters 55 jahr, 6 monat, und 6 tage. 

Gelehrter, hier kanst du dein bild im grabe sehn und denke nur 
gewisz, es wird dir auch so gehn richtst du dein lehramt so wie, der 
hier ruhet ein, wird deine wissenschaft und lehr nicht schadlich 
seyn ; wirst du wie er vertblgt, und streitst so tur den Herrn, kanst 
du an einem tag auch leuchten als ein stern. 

[Translation. — In memory of that honored min- 
ister, John Conrad Steiners, who was born at Win- 
terthur, in Switzerland, 1 Jan. 1707, arrived in Phil- 
adelphia, Penn., in October, 1749, and after having 
faithfully labored in the work of the gospel min- 
istry, for upwards of 12 years, both in city and 
country, was called by his master and chief shepherd 
Jesus, 6 July, 1762, into eternal joy. His age was 
55 years, 6 months, and 6 days. 

Man of learning, here you may see your image in 
the grave; think certainly so also it must be with 
thee. If thou like him thine office shalt discharge, 
then science, learning, shall not injure thee. If, like 
him persecuted, thou shalt so contend for God, thou 
also like a star mayest shine in the great day.] 



DEVOTIONAL EPITAPHS. 



Devotional Epitaphs. 



" Nay, "but 'tis not the end : 
God were not God, if such a thing could be." 
— Phcebe Cary. 



Fragments of the following beautiful epitaph ma; 
i see 
yards : 



be seen gracing tombstones in many of our church 



"Weep not," ye mourners tor the dead, 
But in this hope your spirits soar, 
That ye can say of those ye mourn, 
They are not lost but gone before. 

Christ to the widow'd mother said, 
"Weep not" and thus He healed her pain 
And now to ye who mourn, He says, 
'■'•Weep not" ye all shall meet again. 

And in this hope we live, that death. 
Who plucks from earth its fairest flowers, 
Doth give them back to God again. 
To plant in brighter lands than ours. 
89 



90 DEVOTIONAL 

In Neioburyport* Mass., is an old gravestone bear- 
ing these words: 

A resurrection to immortality is here expected for what was 
mortal of the Reverend Mr. John Richardson, once fellow of Har- 
vard College, afterwards teacher to the church of Newbury. 
Put off April 7, 1676. 

On an ancient stone at Middletown, Conn.: 

Beneath thys stonne 
Death's pris'ner lyes ; 
The stonne shalle move. 
The pris'ner ryse — 1682. 

From the "Old West bnrying-ground" in Litchfield ', 
Conn.: 

Beneath this stone 
Deaths prisoner lies 
The stone shall move 
The prisoner rise — 1762. 

Beneath this ground 

his body must lie 

Until the resurrection day — 1775. 

Lo here I leave this earthly clay 
And fly beyond ethereal blue 
Unchanged into eternal day 
To sing the praise of God anew — 1790. 

On the Revd. Samuel Newel's tomb, Bristol, R. I.: 
-1789- 

Death ! Great Proprietor of all ! 'tis thine 
To tread out Empires, and to quench ye Stars. 



I 



EPITAPHS. 



91 



At New Preston, Conn.: 



— 1800 — 

Blest is the chieftain whose decease, 
Transmits his soul to endless peace, 
Whose flesh still slumbers in the dust 
'Till waked to join the rising just. 



At Watertovm, Mass.: 



Here lies 

buried the body ot 

Mrs. Abigail Stone 

Relict to Mr. Ebenezer Stone, Junr. 

She departed this life March 31 

1789, aged 71 years. 

O how the Resurrection light, 
Will clarify Believers' sight; 
How joyful will the saints arise: 
And rub the dust from off their eyes ; 

My soul my body I will trust 
With him who numbers every dust; 
My Saviour faithfully will keep, 
His own, for death is but a sleep. 



From Copjfs Hill Boston, Mass.: 

Sacred 

to the memory of 

Mrs. Sarah Mellish, who 

departed this life 
Jan. 7, 181 7, aged 82 years. 
Lively I walked lite's journey through, 
'Till I arrived at eighty-two; 
Then calm descended here to rest, 
In hope to be forever blest. 



J DEVOTIONAL 

From Mollis, New Hampshire: 

Our .Little Jacob 

Has been Taken Away from this Earthly Garden 

To Bloom 

In a superior Flower-pot 

Above. 

From Eose Hill Cemetery, Chicago: 

Madora M 

died July 23-1848. 
— Aet, 1 1 months & 1 1 days — 
Ere sin could blight or sorrow fade 
Death came with friendly care, 
The opening bud to Heaven conveyed 
And bade it blossom there. 

At the Necropolis, Toronto, Canada: 



The beloved Children of 
William and Mary Robins. 
The less of this cold world, the more of Heaven : 
The briefer life, the earlier Immortality. 



From a burying-ground near Cavronhrook, 0?it., 
Canada: 

Bold Infidelity, turn pale and die ; 
Under this stone an infant's ashes lie, 
Say, is it lost or saved ? 
If death's by sin, it sinned, because 'tis here ; 
If heaven's by works, it can't in heaven appear : 

Ah! Reason, how depraved! 
Revere the Bible's sacred page : the knot's untied ; 
It died thro' Adam's sin ; it lives — for Jesus died. 

This epitaph taken from Richmond's " Annals of 



EPITAPHS 93 

the Poor," may be seen on an ancient stone at Rich- 
mond, Va.: 

This lovelv bud, so young and fair, 
Call'd hence by early doom, 
Just came to show how sweet a flower 
In Paradise might bloom. 

In the burying- ground at Northampton, Mass., is 
a stone inscribed: 

Little Mary 

with us 5 weeks. our father 

took her home, july 3 1, 1 854. 

Bridgmax. 

Bedford, Mass., has a tombstone with this stanza: 

This body moulderin in the dust 
Early cut down and slain 
So by the righteousness of Christ 
Shall be alive again. 

From Delaware, Ohio'. 

Blessed are the homesick, 
For they shall get home. 

Epitaph on a boatman copied from a tombstone in 
Deal Churchyard, Canada: 



In memory of 



-who died March 2 2d 1850, aged 74 — 
Full many a life he saved 
With his undaunted crew; 
He put his trust in Providence, 
And cared not how it blew. 



94 DEVOTIONAL 

On a tombstone in Calvary Cemetery, Chicago } are 
these lines : 

Thomas B 

Died Dec. 4, 1862. 

— Aet, 10 years — 
Long illness did he bear 
Physicians were in vain 
Till God did please 
To give him ease 
And free him from all pain. 



Also: 



And this : 



Edward P 

Died 
Oct 3—1868— 
Aged 6 years and 10 months- 
Sleep on dear Eddie 
And take your rest 
God called you home 
He thought it best. 



Alice L 

Born May 7 — 1869 — 

Departed this Life 

Nov 12 — 1869 

— Rest in the Lords Peace- 



At Kose Hill Cemetery, Chicago, is the following: 

Our Mattie 
Born July 22, 1853 
— Died July 1870 — 
She went home with the Angels, the Angels of God, 
Only leaving her body to sleep, 
Forever that sweet form in its coffin was laid, 
She went up to Heaven and was not afraid. 



EPITAPHS. 95 

A gravestone on Long Island, Maine, has these 
lines: 

Farewell ! my dear husband saith she, 
Now from your kind bosom I leap — 
To Jesus my Bridegroom to be — 
My flesh in the tomb shall soon sleep. 

Now like a disconsolate dove 

I'm left all alone for to mourn 

Oh! may the kind Saviour above, 

Show pity to me while alone. 

From the burying-ground at Monadnock, 1SF. H., 
come these two: 

—Sally— 
Our babe's an angel up in Heaven 
We hope her sins are all forgiven. 



We had a darling little boy. 
Me was our comfort and our joy, 
In spite of all that we could say 
Dear Jesus took his soul away. 



From Bridgeware?*, Mass.: 



Here lies buried Mrs. Martha Alden, the wife of Mr. Eleazar 
Alden, who died, 6 January 1769, aged, 69 years. 
The resurrection day will come 
And Christ's strong voice will burst the tomb; 
The sleeping dead, we trust will rise 
With joy and pleasure in her eyes, 
And ever shine among the wise. 

At Baltimore, Md.: 

In memory of William Bradford, fosEPH, Anna Maria, 



96 DEVOTIONAL 

Joseph Hutchins, and Anna Catharine, children of the rev. 
Joseph G.J. Bend, and Mary B. Bend his wife, who have been, in 
the merciful and wise providence of their heavenly Father, taken 
away from the evil to come, and added to the angelick choirs. 
Thy will, O Lord, be done. 

At Hanover, N. J.: 

In memory of Mrs. Katharine Eckley, who by a sudden ac- 
cident, died, 18 August, A. D. 1772, anno aetatis 46. 
To this sad shrine the reliques we commend 
Of, once, the tender mother, wife and friend; 
Too soon, alas ! those tender tyes were broke 
Friends, husband, children felt the fatal stroke ; 
Yet cease, fond grief, no murmuring sigh arise, 
Heaven struck the blow, and heaven is just and wise. 
Think, dying passenger, life's final date 
Steals on thee heedless of impending fate. 
While pleasure courts thee with her smiling charms, 
Prepare to meet thy God, the tomb alarms. 
"Man cometh forth like a flower and is cut down" 

Job. 14-2. 

On a plain marble stone in an old Canadian cem- 
etery is this brief inscription: 

Our mother 

Fell asleep 

Dec 25th 1S37. 

y£ 4 q. 

When -will morning come f 

From Elizabeth N~. J.: 

Here lies, in hope of a joyful resurrection, the bodv of David 
Ogden, who was born 26 October, O. S. 1726, and who died in the 
triumphs of faith, 28 November, N. S. 1S01. For 57 years he 



EPITAPHS. 97 

adorned the Christian profession by a holy and exemplary life, and 
tor 15 years discharged the duties of a deacon to the first presbyte- 
rian church in this town, with prudence, fidelity, and acceptance. 

Softly his fainting head he lay 

Upon his Saviour's breast ; 

His Saviour kiss'd his soul away, 

And laid his limbs to rest. 

From Greenland, N. H. : 

To the memory of Samuel Macclintock, D. D., who died, 27 
April 1804 m the 72 year of his age, and 48 of his ministry. 

His body rests here in the certain hope of a resurrection to life 
and immortality, when Christ shall appear the second time to de- 
stroy the last enemy, death, and to consummate the great design of 
his mediatorial kingdom. 

YromNew York, JV. Y.: 

Sacred to the memory of William Beekman, jun. son of John 
and Mary E. G. Beekman, who died of the epidemick fever, at the 
Wallabought, on Long Island, 24 October, A. D. 1S05, aged 11 
years, 8 months, 24 days. 

'Till the last hour of general doom 
May angels guard the precious trust, 
Lock the cold chamber of his tomb. 
And keep secure his sleeping dust. 

May joys celestial him await, 
When risen from the gloomy grave ; 
Then shall he share the happy Tate 
Of those, whom Jesus died to save. 

From Frankfort, Penn.: 

Life makes the soul dependent on the dust, 
Death gives her wings to mount above the spheres. 
Through chink's styl'd organs dim life peeps at light, 
Death bursts tlv involving cloud, and all is day. 



98 DEVOTIONAL 

From Albany, N. Y.: 

I. H. S. Departed this life, 17 January, 1813 in charity with all 
men and in hope of a happy resurrection through the merits of a 
crucified Redeemer, Thomas Barry, a native of Ireland and 45 
years, a worthy citizen of Albany, aged 75 years and one month. 
R. I. P. 

. From Providence, R. I. : 

This monumental stone is briefly commemorative of the virtues, 
which adorned the life of Mr. John Rogers, merchant, native of 
Newport, Rhode Island, but more than thirty years, a respected in- 
habitant of Providence. He departed this life on the 17 day of July, 
Anno Domini 1810, in the 54 year of his age. His character, as a 
man, was estimable; as a merchant, eminent; as a husband, exem- 
plary ; as a parent anxiously affectionate. His heart beat responsive 
to the touch of fraternal affection and glowed with the purest ema- 
nations of fervent friendship. The remembrance of his dying ex- 
pressions of faith and trust in the mercy of God, through the merits 
of the divine Redeemer, is cherished with pensive satisfaction, by 
his surviving relatives, one of whom hath caused this frail memo- 
. rial to be erected and it is her consolation to believe that his virtues 
are recorded with an angel's pen in heaven's high chancery. 

From Portsmouth, N. H. : 

She died, and guardian angels on the wing 

Upbore her spirit to th' eternal king ; 

There at the fountain of immortal joy, 

Unceasing pleasures flow without alloy ; 

There tears are wip'd from sorrows streaming eyes, 

And the kind Saviour every want supplies. 

From Rose Hill Cemetery, Chicago, over the grave 
of two babes: 

Fare you well sweet buds of beauty — 



EPITAPHS. 99 

Stainless spirits tare you well — 
You were far too fair and lovely 
In a world like this to dwell. 

Epitaph on three little ones in Rose Hill Cemetery, 
Chicago : 

Little Hearts forever stainless, 
Little Hands as pure as they, 
Little feet by Angels guided, 
Never a forbidden way. 

From the graveyard at Canton, III., we take the 
following: 

We part to meet again, 
What a joyful thought. 



The first link 

In the chain that binds us to earth 

Is broken. 



Sleep on sweet babe 
And take your rest, 
For such as thou 
Our Saviour blest. 



The bud was spread 
To show the rose 
Our Saviour smiled 
The bud was closed. 



'Tis finished, tis done, the spirit is fled — 
The prisoner is gone, the Christian is dead. 

On a stone in the " Old West burying-ground" in 
Litchfield, Conn.: 

Beneath this stone lies children s 



100 DEVOTIONAL 

Endearing objects when alive, 
Though long in silence they have lain 
They certain will revive again. 

Over the grave of a little one in Rose Hill Ceme- 
tery, Chicago, is tins inscription: 

Our Charlie. 
Gone to meet papa. 

In Blackville churchyard, South Carolina: 

Here lies Aunt Isabel, 
She dy ob de shakes, 
"Bless de lamb ob God." 

A Columbus tombstone says: 

They've buried me 
'Longside of she, 
And together in heaven 
Is her and me. 



From a gravestone in Illinois: 

D. J. H , son of- 



died March 31st, 1859, aged 
one year, six months and ten days. 

My days on earth indeed were few 

But earth is full of woe ; 
And had I staid with Pa and you, 

I must have found it so. 



In Affectionate Remembrance 

of 

Mrs. Annie L. Evans 

Who died March 31st 1S74; 

Aged 21 years, 4 months. 



EPITAPHS. 101 

Afflictions sore, so hard I bore 

Physician's skill was vain, 
Till God above in tender love, 

Released me of my pain. 

He plucked me like a tender flower 

From this world of faded light, 
To dwell among the angels, 

Up in heaven so fair and bright. 

I leave an infant babe 

To receive a father's care, 
Who will build treasures up in heaven 

And they will someday meet me there. 

A tombstone in Trenton, N. e/^has the following: 

The boiling coffee did on me fall 

And by it I was slain, 
But Christ has bought my liberty, 

And in Him I'll rise again. 

From Walpole, on Mtha Carpenter, aged 58 years, 
2 months and 5 days: 

And how it made my bosom heave 
To hear my dearest sister breathe 
And God to carry out his plans, 
Caused her to die within my hands. 

And now dear Saviour please adore 
Her mother, aged eighty-four ; 
Look down from on high 
And bless her ere she die. 



The following stanzas are from tombstones 
BridjpOTt, Vt.: 



in 



102 DEVOTIONAL. 

My time on earth is done you see, 
For the Great Judge hath called for me, 
Whose call I'm ready to obey 
And launch into eternal day. 

My husband, friends, I bid you all adieu, 
I leave you in God's care. 
My son i'll never more see you, 
Prepare to meet me there. 

Lovely in life, beloved in death, 
A lingering summons call'd her breath 
She is gone we hope to glorious rest, 
In God her Saviour's image blest. 

In Kingston burying-ground, Mass., is a small 
stone on which is inscribed this couplet: 

If there is a world above, he is in bliss ; 
If there is not, he made the most of this. 

Inscription over the grave of a little boy in Green- 
wood Cemetery: 

Our God, to call us homeward, 

His only Son sent down ; 

And now, still more to tempt our hearts 

Has taken up our own. 

On a recumbent statuette in Mount Auburn Cem- 
etery is engraven: 

EMILY. 
Shed not for her the bitter tear, 
Nor give the heart to vain regret ; 
'Tis but the casket that lies here : 
The gem that filled it sparkles yet. 



ADULATORY. LAUDATORY 
AND BOMBASTIC EPITAPHS. 



Adulatory, Laudatory, 
and Bombastic Epitaphs. 



" But this man? Ah! for him 
Funeral state, and ceremonial grand, 
The stone-engraved sarcophagus, and then 
Oblivion." — Mulock. 



A churchyard .in Windsor, Oonn., has the follow- 
ing to the memory of Ephraim Unit: 

Here Lyeth Ephraim IIiit, 

Sometimes teacher to the church of Windsor 

Who dyed September 14, 1644. 

Who when I lee lived, we drew our vital breath, 
Who when Hee died, ins dying was our death. 
Who was the stay ot" Slate, the Church's staff- 
Alas! the times forbid an epitaph. 

From a tombstone in Springfield^ Mass.: 
Here lyeth the body of Mari 
The wife of Elizur Holyoke 
who died October 26, 1657. 

She that lies here was while she stood 

105 



106 ADULATORY 

A very glory of womanhood ; 

Even here was sown most precious dust, 

Which surely shall rise with the just. 

From a tomb in Trinity Churchyard, Oxford, Phil- 
adelphia: 

On the outside: 

Here lyeth the body of, Elizabeth, wife of John Roberts, who 
departed this life, May, ye, 6th, in the year of our Lord, God, 1708, 
aged 41 years. 

Weep not for me, for it is in vain, 
Weep for your sins, and then refrain. 

On the inside is the following: 

Here, by these lines is testify'd 
No Quaker was she, when she dy'd, 
So far was she from Quakerism, 
That she desired to have baptism 
For her, our babes and children dear, 
To this, these lines true witness bear, 
And furthermore, she did obtain 
That faith, that all shall rise again 
Out of the graves at the last day, 
And in this faith she passed away- 






In the cemetery at Middletown, Conn., are two 
mbstones date 
ing inscription : 



tombstones dated 1807 and 1711, bearing the follow- 



A loving wife 
And tender mother 
Left this base world 
T enjoy the other. 

On a tombstone, beneath a skull with wings, may 
be found these lines: 

Here lieth the body 



KPITAPHS. 107 

of the Revd. Mr. Azariah Mather 
born at Windsor, Aug. 25, 16S9, 
Expired at Saybrook Feb. 11, 1736 
Aged 52 vears. 
lie was a faithful minister, a general scholar, an eminent Chris- 
tian, a very great sufferer, but now in Heaven a triumpher. 

He many weeks felt Deaths attack, 

But fervent prayer kept him back; 

His faith aiul patience 'twas to try 

And learn us how to live and die; 

Having the wings of faith and love, 

And feathers of a Holy dove, 

He bids this wretched world adieu, 

And simply up to Heaven flew, 

Disturb not then, this precious dust, 

With censors that are most unjust. 

From Windsor, Conn.: 

Here Rests ye Last Rema- 
ins of Mr. Alexander McKin- 
stry ye kind husband ten- 
der parent Dutiful Son 
Affectionate Brother Faith- 
ful Friend Generous Master 
compassionate and obliging 
Neighbor ye unhappy 
hous looks Desolate & 
Mourns & every Door 
Groans doalful as it turns 
Ye Pillers Languish and each 
Silent Wall in Grief lament 
Ye Masters Fall. W T ho departed 
this life Novem: ye 9, 1759 
in ye 30th Year of his Age. 

hi Norwich biirying'-iZToriiid, Conn., on a tomb- 



108 ADULATORY 

stone over the grave of Benjamin Butler — inscribed 
by his own direction — is this solitary line: 
Alas, poor hum ax nature! 

At Concord, Mass., is a tombstone erected to the 
memory of John Jack, on which is inscribed: 

God wills us free; man wills us slaves. 

I will as God wills : God's will be done. 
Here lies the body of John Jack, a native of Africa, who died, 
March 1773, aged about 60 years. Though born in a land of slavery, 
he was born free; though he lived in a land of liberty, he lived a 
slave, till, by his honest though stolen labors, he acquired the source 
of slavery, which gave his freedom, though not long before death, 
the grand tyrant, gave him his final emancipation, and set him on a 
footing with kings. Though a slave to vice, he practiced those vir- 
tues, without which kings are but slaves. 

The following inscription — evidently with an eye 
to business — was placed by a wife on the tombstone 
of her dear departed: 

Sacred to the memory of Jonathan Thomson. 
A pious christian and affectionate husband. 
His disconsolate widow continues to carry on the Tripe and Trot- 
ter business at the same place as before her bereavement. 

From a stone in the cemetery at Roxbury, Mass.: 





Elizabeth 






Baldner : 




dead 


26ten 


August 


old 


1S4S 
Henriette Bald 


3F. 


old 


ner: 


1. F. S. M. 


dead 


30ten 
1S4S 


Augt 



EPiTAPns. 109 

Weep not tor her the bitter tear. 
Nor give thy heart to vain regret; 
Tis but the casket that lies here. 
The gem that filled it sparkles yet. 

From Rose Hill Cemetery, Chicago: 

Sarah II . W 

— aet. 16, died Febv 9 — 1S62 — 
Afflictions sore, long time she bore 
Physicians were in vain 
Till God did please to give her ease 
And free her from all pain. 

Also: 

Daughter of 

Dow. B and Sally, T 

Aet. 9 years. 5 mos, 9 days. 
Died Mar. 26, 1870. 
The parents anguish who can tell 
Their eldest child they loved so well, 
With cheerful face and free from guile, 
And pleasant ways that made them smile. 

From a stone in Calvary Cemetery, Chicago: 

In memory of 

Michael S- 

Died Oct. 7, 1 87 1. 

Aged Sj years. 

A native ol Castleton, County Cork, Ireland. 

He spent his last days with his son Timothy, No. I, P , st He 

expired the morning previous to the great fire and his remains were 
preserved from the conflagration by his dutiful son. 

A tombstone in Lyons. N. Y.. lias the following: 

Last ray of departed Hope! Thou didst leave this world ot" sin 



110 ADULATORY 

and sorrow while thy Father was far away and thy sainted Mother 
in Heaven. But the Father of thy dear departed Mother did see 
that thy obsequies were properly performed. 

From a burial-ground in Montreal, Canada, comes 
this fitting epitaph on Michael Adams, a soldier. 

In peaceful quarters billeted am I, 

And here forgetful of all past labors lye; 

Let me alone while sleeping I remain, 

And when the last trumpet sounds I'll march again. 

At Ahwaga, on the banks of the Susquehanna may 
be seen a gravestone with this couplet: 

Charles Lewis. 
He voted for Abraham Lincoln. 

From the village of P in Northern N. T., 

come the two following: 

Here lies G S 

son of C S and H S 

Died May ist 1S52, aged 2 yrs, 
He tasted of life's bitter cup. 
Refused to drink the potion up. 
He turned his little head aside. 
Disgusted with the taste and died. 

Pain was my portion 
Physic was my food 
Groans was my devotion 
Drugs did me not good, 
Christ was my Physician, 
He knew what way was best. — 
To ease me of my pain 
He took my soul to rest. 



EPITAPHS. Ill 

From a graveyard near Saratoga, JV. Y.: 

She was a sister true and kind 
While with us she could stay 
God hlest her with a loving mind 
And then took her away. 

On a tombstone in the cemetery at Washington, 
Conn., are these lines: 



In memory of 



And in her memory we think we find 
These accents uttered at this time. 
Companions, you who once were mine, 
Unto you I speak by the hand of time. 
Yes! unto you who once were joined 
Unto me by Friendship's coin, 
Yea, unto you I now do speak, 
Although my eyes are closed in sleep. 
Here lies the remnants of your friend 
Beneath this grassy mound ; 
And flowers may deck and flowers may bloom, 
And flowers may wither on this mound, 
Here stands my Tomb. 

From Dorchester graveyard, Mass. : 
— 1661— 

Here lyes our Captaine, and major of Suffolk was withall, 
A goodly magistrate was he, and major generall. 
Two troops of hors with him here came, such worth 

ln's love did crave, 
Ten companyes of foot also mourning marcht 

to his grave. 
Let all that read be sure to keep the faith as 

he hath done; 
With Christ he lives now crowned. 

His name was Humphry Atherton. 



112 LAUDATORY 

In the old burving-ground at New London, Conn., 
is a gravestone bearing this inscription: 

An epitaph on Captain Richard Lord, deceased May 17, 1662. 
./Etatis svse 51. 

Bright starre of chivallrie lyes here 
to the state a counsillor full deare 
And to ye troth a friend of sweete content 
To Hartford towne a silver ornament 
Who can deny to poore he was releife 
And in composing paroxyies he was chiefe 
To March antes as a patterne he might stand 
Adventuring dangers new by sea and land. 

A tablet in the graveyard at Dorchester, Mass., 



Here lies interred ye corpse of 
Mr.Josiah Flint, 
Late pastor to ye church in 
Dorchester, aged 35 years, Dec. 
Sept ye 15 16 80. 
A man of God he was so great so good 
His highest worth was hardly understood 
So much of God and Christ in him did dwell 
In grace and holiness he did excell. 
An honor and an ornament thereby 
Both to ye church and to ye ministry. 
Most zealous in ye work of reformation 
To save this self-destroying generation. 
With courage strove 'gainst all this people's sin 
His pen, his strength, his life, his soul therein. 
Consumed with holy zeal for God for whome 
He lived and dyed a kind of martyrdome. 
For men will not lament, their hearts and breake. 
No wonder his lamenting stone doth speake. 
His tombstone crys repent & souls to save 



EPITAPHS. 113 

Doth preach repentance from his very grave. 
'Gainst sinners doth his lasting record lye. 
Psal. 112.66 — Prov. 10.7. 

At Middletowa, Co an., upon a tombstone dated 
4 '1691" is the following; 

Here lyes onr Deaconne Hall, 
Whoe stndyd peace with alle, 
Was upprighte inne hys lyfe, 
Yoide of malygnante stryfe: 
Gonne toe hys restte 
Left us inne sorrowe: 
Doubtlesse hys goode 
Works wylle hym followe. 

The Eev. Mr. Bailey's (of Watertown, Mass.) epi- 
taph to his wife: 

Pious Lydia made and given by God, as a most meet help to- 
John Bailey, minister of the Gospel : 

Good Betimes — Best at Last, 
Lived by faith — Died in Grace, 
Went off Singing — Left us Weeping; 
Walked with God 'till translated in the 39th year of her age, April 
16, 1691. 

Read her epitaph in Prow xxxi. 10-1 1-12-2S-29-30-31. 

At Qtiincy, Mass., 1708. 

Braintree, thy prophet's gone; this tomb inters 

The Rev. Moses Fiske his sacred herse. 

Adore heaven's praiseful art, that formed the man. 

Who souls, not to himself, but Christ oft won ; 

Sailed through the straits with Peter's family 

Renowned, and Gaius' hospitality, 

Paul's patience, James's prudence, John's sweet love 

Is landed, entered, cleared, and crowned above. 



1 14 LAUDATORY 

At Westfield, JV. J., on Mrs. Jennet Woodruff who 
died 1750, set. 43: 

The dame, that rests within this tomb 
Had Rachel's beauty, Leah's fruitful womb, 
Abigail's wisdom, Lydia's faithful heart. 
Martha's just care, and Mary's better part. 

In the burying-ground at Elizabeth City, iV". J., 
is the following couplet, to the memory of Elias 
Boudinot, who died 1770, set. 63:. 

This modest stone, what few vain marbles can, 
May truly say, Here lies an honest man. 

In the burying-ground at Faggs Manor: 

Here lieth the body of 
The Rev. Samuel Blair 

who departed this life 
the fifth day of july 1 75 1 
aged thirty-nine years and twenty-one days. 
In yonder sacred house I spent my breath, 
Now silent mouldering, here I lie in death ; 
These lips shall wake and yet declare 
A dread Amen to truths they publish there. 

Monumental inscription from J)Torthampton,Mass.: 

Here lies the Rev. John Hooker, who died of the small-pox, 6th 
February 1777 in the forty-ninth year of his age. 

In him an excellent and cultivated genius, engaging manners, and 
the temper of the Gospel, combined to form an able and faithful 
minister, and to render him exemplary and beloved in all the rela- 
tions of life. 

The affectionate people of his charge, in remembrance of his many 
.amiable and Christian virtues, erected this monument to his. 
memory. 



EPITAPHS. 115 

A tablet in /St. Paul's, New York, bears tins in- 
scription to the memory of Elizabeth Franklin: 

Beneath the altar of this church are deposited the remains of 
Elizabeth Franklin wife of His Excellency William Franklin, Esq.t 
late Govorner, under his Brittanic Majesty, of the Province of New 
Jersey. 

Compelled by the adverse circumstances of the times to part from 
the husband she loved, and at length deprived of the soothing hope 
of a speedy return, she sank under accumulated distress, and depart- 
ed this life on jS July, 177S, in the 49th year of her age. Sincerity 
and sensibility, politeness and affability, goodness and charity, were 
with sense-refined and person-elegant in her united. 

From a grateful remembrance of her affectionate tenderness, and 
constant performance of all the duties of a good wife, this monu- 
ment is erected in the year 1787, by one who knew her worth and 
still laments her loss. 

In the bnrying-ground at JVewburyport, may be 
seen a stone inscribed: 

Omnem crede dicum tibi diluxesse supremum. 
Sacred to the memory of Mrs. Mary M'Hard, the virtuous and 
amiable consort of Capt. Wm. M'Hard of ^Newburyport, who 
amidst the laudable exertions of a very useful and desirable life, in 
which her Christian Profession was well adorned and a fair copy 
of every social virtue displayed, was in a state of health suddenly 
summoned to the Skies and snatched from ye eager embraces of 
her friends, (and the throbbing breasts of her disconsolate family 
confessed their fairest prospects of sublinary bliss were in one moment 
dashed) by swallowing a Pea at her own table, whence in a few 
hours, she sweetly breathed her soul away unto her SAVIOUR'S 
arms on the Sth day of March, A. D. 1780. 
^Etatis 47. 

On a pair of slabs, laid side by side on flat founda 



116 LAUDATORY 

tions of masonry in St. Paul's cemetery, New York, 
is inscribed the following: 



This tomb is erected to the 
memory of Major John Lucas of 
the Georgia Line of the army 
of the Revolution, who died in 
this city, August 18th, 1789, 
aged 38. 



And this Tomb contains the 
remains of Major Job Sumner of 
the Massachusetts Line of the 
same Army, who died in this 
city, September 16, 1789, aged 
33- 



Alike in arms they ranged the glorious field, 
Alike in turn to death the conquerors yield. 

A Newport, B. I., tombstone says: 

The Human Form respected for its honesty and known for fifty- 
three years by the appellation of Christopher Ellery, began to 
dissolve in the month of February, 1789. 

If tears, alas, could sp8ak a husband's woe 

My verse should straight in plaintive numbers flow; 

But since thy well-known piety demands 

A public monument at thy George's hands, 

O Abigail ! I dedicate this tomb to thee, 

Thou dearest half of poor forsaken me. 

" Oaesar the Ethiopian" sleeps his last sleep at 
Attleoorough, Mass., in a rural and elm-shaded cem- 
etery, not far from the " old Hatch tavern" on the 
Old Road between Boston and Providence: 

Here lies the best of slaves 
Now turning into dust, 
Caesar, the Ethiopian, craves 
A place among the Just. 
His faithful soul is fled 
To realms of heavenly light 
And by the blood that Jesus shed 
Is changed from Black to White. 



EPITAPHS. 1 1 7 

Jan'y 15th he quitted the stage 
In the 77th year of his age. 
— 1781— 

Sacred to the memory of John Holt, jprmter, who 
died Jan. 30, 1784, aet. 64: 

A due tribute to the memory of John Holt, printer to this state 
(N. Y.), a native of Virginia, who patiently obeyed Death's awful 
summons, on the thirtieth of January 17S4, in the sixty-fourth year 
of his age. 

To say that his family lament him is needless; that his friends 
bewail him, useless; that all regret him, unnecessary; for that he 
merited every esteem is certain. The tongue of slander can not sap- 
less, though justice might say more. In token of sincere affection 
his disconsolate widow hath caused this memorial to be erected. 

At Roxbury, Conn.: 

In memory of 
Col. Seth Warner, Esq., 
Who departed this life December 26th, A. D. 17S4. 
In the forty-second year of his age. 
Triumphant leader at our armies' head, 
Whose martial glory struck a panic dread, 
Thy warlike deeds engraven on this stone, 
Tell future ages what a hero's done. 
Full sixteen battles he did fight 
For to procure his country's right. 
Oh! this brave hero, he did fall 
By death, who ever conquers all. 
When this you see remember me. 

The Presbyterian burying-ground at Ports-mouth, 
Va., has a marble slab with the following inscription: 

In memory of 
Tm Rev. JOHN Rankin, 



118 BOMBASTIC 

who departed this life, March 2d 1798 

Aged 48 years ; 

A burning and shining light in this part of Christ's 

Vineyard, 20 years. 

In mental improvement, excelled by few ; 

As a divine, well instructed 

In the mysteries of Christ's kingdom ; 

Taught by his master to give each their meat 

In due season ; 

In private and public life beloved by all 

Who knew him. 

A faithful diligent pastor ; 

A tender husband; an indulgent parent; 

Lovely and pleasant in his life. 

Servant of Jesus, here repose in peace; 

Thy cause is finished ; won the heavenly prize ; 

Henceforth a glorious crown of righteousness 

And endless bliss await thee in the skies. 

At Ne%oton, Mass., on Captain Thos. Prentice, who 
died in 1709: 

He that's here interred needs no versifying; 
A virtuous life will keep the name from dying; 
He'll live though poets cease their scribbling rhyme, 
When that this stone shall moulder'd be by time. 

Byron's inscription on the monument of his dog: 

Near this spot 

are deposited the remains of one 

who possessed beauty without vanity, 

Strength without insolence, 

Courage without ferocity, 

And all the virtues of man without his vices. 

This praise which would be unmeaning flattery 

If inscribed over human ashes, 



EPITAPHS. 119 

Is but a just tribute to the memory of 

Boatswain, a dog, 

Who was born at Newfoundland, May, 1S03, 

And died at Newstead Abbey Nov. 18, 1808. 

From Charleston burying- ground, Mass.: 

Rhoda Coe Baker 
died in Charlestown July nth 1803, 
In the 6th year of her age. 
Daughter of Mr. Elisha and Mrs. Rhoda Baker. 
This lovely youth she loved the truth 
Tho' young as you may see 
Her whole delight was day and night 
With Christians for to bee. 

Now shes in rest among the just 
There ever for to be 
With her lovely voice for to rejoice 
To all Eternity. 

A stone in Sutton, Vt., has this stanza: 

Father thou hast gone and left us 
A sad and lonely band, 
God has called thee o'er the river, 
Up to dwell with him forever. 

In the burying-ground at Salisbury, Conn., is a 
tablet erected to the memory of Samuel Moore, with 
the following inscription: 

The man is sjone! 

Mr. Samuel Moore, the eminent mathematician, died Feb. 20th 

1810, JE 75. His Life and Services!!! these the monument, this 

marble but the Tablet. Say then, He lived to benefit mankind. 

Swayed not by trirles, But by Science led, As Land-Surveyor. 



120 BOMBASTIC 

So like in all things, Like correct, This is the best image of the 
man. 

Our Fathers rest from their toils. 



Beneath this stone are deposited the remains of Sarah Vanderpool, 
who departed this life, May 5 th 18.25, aged 86 years. 

She was an exemplary wife, a devoted mother, a kind friend — and 
her generosity spurned the tardiness of calculation — had her ability 
been commensurate with her heart, she Avould have banished 
suffering from the world. Such virtue was not unrewarded, for as 
she lived, she died — a Christian. 

The memory of the dead is in the hearts of the living. 

Inscribed on a monument in the cemetery at Piqua^ 
Miami County, Ohio, is the following historical epi- 
taph : 

Beneath this stone repose the mortal remains of Lewis Boyer. 
a soldier of the American Revolution, the follower and defender of 
the great Washington in many a well-fought field. He served in 
the Life-Guard of the Commander-in-Chief throughout the war for 
Independence, and was honorably discharged Dec. 19, 17S3 by 
special certificate subscribed in the proper handwriting of George 
Washington. 

Died Sept. 19, 1843. aged S7 years. 

Here Boyer lies, who Britains arms withstood. 

Not for himself, but for his country's good: 

Tho' victor oft in tamed Columbia's fields. 

To death's repose the aged warrior yields. 

"From a cemetery near Boston. Mass.: 

Epitaphium 

Johannes Cottonne 

Cujus ultima Laus est, 

Quod fuerit inter nov-Anglos Primus. 

[Translation. — John Cotton, whose highest praise 
is that he was the first man in Xew England.] 



EPITAPHS. 121 

Epitaph inscribed on the tomb of Dr. Richmond, 
of Stonington, Vt.: 

When Rhode Island, By her Legislation, 
From 1843 to 1850 
Repudiated Her Revolutionary Debt 
Dr. Richmond, 
Removed from that state to this horough, and 
selected this as his familj Burial-place; 
Unwilling that the remains of him- 
self and family should be dis- 
graced by forming part of a 
Repudiating State. 

In Calvary Cemetery, Chicago: 

Dedicated by 

Cornelius O'C 

To the memory of 
His beloved Father 

John O'C 

A native of Rivers Town, Glanmire. 
His mortal Remains lie here in the land of his adoption, yet while 
his heart beat, it was with the liveliest emotion for that beautiful 
spot where he breathed, and where in his youth he gambled on its 
verdant Lawns, and inhaled the wholesome air that was wafted from 
the Banks of the Lee. 

Died Jany 31st 1S5.J 
Aged 64 years. 

In Rose Hill Cemetery, Chicago, is this epitaph on 
a young lady, who died Sept. 24th, I860, act. 17 
years and 6 months. 

She was a pleasant Angel here 
Before wings had been given 



122 BOMBASTIC 

To bear her to that blissful sphere 
Beyond the silver clouds so near 
Her native heaven. 

Also: 

Robert N 

who died Feby 17-1862 
Aged 35 years. 

He's gone! He's gone! the cherished one, 

His toils are o'er, the victory won, 

Just in the morning of his day 

When hopes were bright, he passed away. 

From a stone in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago: 

In memory of 

Oswald E. B 

of T s battery. 

Died on the field of honor 

at Fort Donelson, 

Feby 28th 1862 

Aged 21 years. 

" I die for liberty ! Boys go 

back and man the gun." 

\ tombstone in Texas bears this singular inscrip- 
tion : 

( He remained to the last a decided friend and supporter of Demo- 
cratic principles and measures. 

Blessed are the dead who die in the LordA 

I From Baton Rouge, La., comes a similar strain: 

Here lies the body of David Jones. 
I lis last words were " I die a Christian and a Democrat." \ 



EPITAPHS. 123 

At Middleborough, Mass., is a headstone on which 
is inscribed this original epitaph: 

Here lie the bones of a poor dog 
Renowned for faith and bravery ; 
He died by hostile hands incog. 
His name was Pompcy Savery. 

Epitaph found inscribed on a board erected over 
an artilleryman's grave by a comrade, at Kenesaw 
Mountain, Georgia: 

Here lies, beneath the mouldering sod, 
Tom Bolles, gunner of section 2, 
On June 16th went to see his God, 
Although he didn't want to. 
A solid shot took off his head 
And he quickly bled to death. 
A bullier boy ne'er trained a gun 
Or raised the devil with Johnny Reb. 

The following may be seen in a graveyard at 
Blackville, South Carolina: 

Here lies Ned, 
Sarvint ov Massa Guy, 
Who went to heven 
Soon as he dy, 
De lord tuk him in 
Cos he lied no sin, 
Or Mass; 1 . Guv edar. 

In Lafayette, Ind.: 

Here lies the mortal remains of Dr. Nathan Jackson, 
No more will proud ambition swell the tumult in hi-> breast. 
On earth he did his duty well, and laid him down to rest. 



124 BOMBASTIC 

On an ancient tombstone in Middletown, Conn.: 

Beautiful flower of Middletown. 
How art thou cutted down ! cutted down ! 

From a tombstone in a cemetery near Silver Lake, 
N. Y.: 

Elizabeth McFadden, 

Wife of David P. Reid, 

Died Feb. 28, 1S59 

in her 47th year. 

She never done a thing to 

displeas her Husband. 

In Sleepy Hollow churchyard, near Tamytown, 



JST. F.: 

In memory of 
John Dean. 
He was born September 15th A. D. 1755, and died April 4th 1817, 
aged 61 years, 6 months, and 20 days. 

A tender father, a friend sincere, 
A tender husband slumbers here ; 
So let us hope his soul is given 
A blest and sure reward in heaven. 

Epitaph on a deacon. Copied from a tombstone at 
Lyme, Conn.: 

This Deacon, aged 6S. 
Is freed on earth from sarving: 
May he for a crown no longer wait : 
Lyme's Captain, Reynold Marvin. 

From Christ churchyard, Philadtlphi'i : 

In memorv of 



KI'ITAPIIS. 125 

Margaret Crouch, wife of William Crouch, departed this life in 
the 70th year of her age. 

Quite tired and weary of this life 

Here lies a good industrious wife 

Who all her life would still drudging be 

And now we hope, the greater joys shall see. 

Near the lighthouse at Holmes Hole. On three 
"fishermen struck by lightning: 

Here lie three friends who in their lives 
Were never known to wrangle: 

Holmes Hole 

Cedar Pole 

Crinkle, crinkle, crankle. 

Andrew Jackson's epitaph on his wife: 

Here lie the remains of Mrs. Rachel Jackson, wife of Presi- 
dent Jackson, who died December 22nd 182S, aged 61. 

Her face was fair, her person pleasing, her temper amiable, and 
her heart kind. She delighted in relieving the wants of her fellow- 
creatures, and cultivated that divine pleasure by the most liberal 
and unpretending methods. To the poor she was a benefactress ; to 
the rich she was an example; to the wretched a comforter; to the 
prosperous an ornament. Her pity went hand in hand with her 
benevolence ; and she thanked her Creator for being permitted to 
do good. A being so gentle and yet so virtuous, slander might 
wound yet could not dishonor. Even death, when he tore her 
from the arms of her husband, could but transplant her to the bosom 
of her God. 

On an ancient deacon: 

In memory of 

Deacon John Cutter 

Who died Jan. 21, 1776, .Et. 86. 

And 37th Year of his office. 



126 BOMBASTIC 

An honest man, Te noblest work of God., 
His surviving children 8, 

Grandchildren 68, 
Great Grandchildren 115, 
of the Fifth generation 3. 

At Litchfield, Conn., may be seen the following 
inscription on an old tombstone: 

Here lies the body of Mrs. Mary, wife of Dr. John Buel, Esq. 
She died AW 4, 1778, -^foz? 90, having had 13 children, 101 grand- 
children, 274 great-grandchildren, 22 great-great-grandchildren; total 
410; surviving, 336. 

From a churchyard in Butler County, Ohio: 

Here lies the woman, the first save one 
That settled on the Miami, above Fort Hamilton ; 
Her table was spread, and that of the best, 
And Anthony Wayne was often her guest. 

Epitaph, at Woodstock^ Conn., on John Martin, 
written by himself: 

Beneath this spot repose the remains of John Martin, Esq., who 
died in Providence, R. I., Sept. 1, 1S33, in the 71st year of his age. 
An honest man is the noblest work of God, 
Wherever laid beneath the clod ; 
One who never falsifies his word 
Deserves the plume of ' any Bird.' 

The following comes from New York State: 

In memory of 

Elizabeth J. Simmons 

wife of 

J. E. Mount 

Born October 26, 1S18 



EPITAPHS. 127 

Died October 26, 1852. 

Also their daughter. 
Marietta Clara 

Died March 28, 1853. 
Death claimed the lovely flower. 
Nor spared the tender bud. 
Tombstone of Italy ! thou hast engraven upon thy sculptured 
marble the name and age of her whose immaculate spirit, exalted 
virtues, and noble soul were the joy of him whose heart is left deso- 
late. Cherub of beauty — sweet flower of innocence — last rosy ray 
of hope of thy heart-stricken father! thou didst take thy flight with 
all thy loveliness whilst thy blessed mother was in Heaven, thy 
father far from thee; but the kind father of thy dear departed 
mother, did, with an agonizing heart, see that thy obsequies were 
properly performed. 

From a tombstone in Ntw Jersey we have: 

Mr. John Lawrence who Nov. 6th first drew his breath, and Oct. 
16th, 1776, yielded to death. 

From London truly famed came 1 ; 
Was born in Stains a place near by ; 
In Rahwav at old age did die; 
And here intombed in earth must lie, 
Till Christ ye dead calls from on high. 

At York, Maine. On Joseph Moody an eccentric 
minister: 

Although this stone may moulder into dust 
Yet Joseph Moody's name continue must. 

At Westchester County, New York. On an Amer- 
ican loyalist, written by himself: 

Sacred 
To the memory of 



128 BOMBASTIC EPITAPHS. 

The Reverend Isaac Wilkins, D. D. 

who for thirty-one years, was the 

diligent and faithful minister 

of this parish, 

placed here, as he believed, bv his Redeemer. 

He remained satisfied with the 

pittance allowed him rejoicing that even in that 

he was no burden to his 

parishioners; 

Nor ever wished nor ever went forth 

to seek a better living. 




PROFESSIONAL EPITAPHS. 



Professional Epitaphs. 



" They are gone — all gone : 

They rest with glory and the undying Powers; 
Only their names and tame, and what they said, are ours!" 

— S ted man. 



In the churchyard at Plymouth^ Mass: 

Mere lyeth buried the body of that precious servant of God, Mr. 
Thomas Cushman, who, after he had served his generation accord- 
ing to the will of God, and particularly the church of Plymouth, for 
many years, in the office of a ruling eider, fell asleep in Jesus, 10 
Dec. 1691, and in the S4 year of his age. 

(He was son of Robert Cushman, who preached the first sermon 
in New England.) 



At Gay-Hmd, Martha's Vineyard: 

Yeuuh wohhok sipsin Sil Paul nohtobeyontok, aged 40 years, 
nuppooptah, 24 August 1737. 

[Translation. — Here lies the body of Silas Paul, 
an ordained preacher, who died 24 August, 1737, aged 
40 year-. 

LSI 



132 PROFESSIONAL 

From Orange, N. Y. : 

This stone was erected, as a monumental token of love and grati- 
tude to our late pastor, rev. Caleb Smith, who died 22 October 
1762, in the 39 years of his age, 

Beneath this tomb the precious relicks lie 

Of one too great to live, but not to die. 

Indu'd by nature, with superior parts, 

To swim in science and to scan the arts, 

To soar aloft, inflamed with sacred love, 

To know, admire, and serve the God above; 

Gifted to sound the thundering law's alarms, 

The smiles of virtue and the gospel's charms ; 

A faithful watchman, studious to discharge 

Th' important duties of his charge; 

To say the whole, and sound the highest, fame. 

He lived a christian, and he died the same. 

A man so useful from his people rent, 

His babes, the college, and the church, lament. 

In Mount Olivet Cemetery, Baltimore, is a Scotch 
granite monument bearing upon one side the inscrip- 
tion: 

New England Methodists erect this tribute to the memory of the 
Rev. Jesse Lee, on the eighty-sixth anniversary of his first sermon 
in Boston, preached under the old elm, on the Common, July 11, 
1790. 

From a Presbyterian churchyard, New York: 

Sacred to the memory of the reverend Johx Matlock, D. D., a 
native and citizen of London, who after gathering three independ- 
ent congregational churches in England, and one in America, 
whereunto he came for the propagation of the gospel, fell asleep in 
the Lord Jesus, the 2S of October, 1787, aged 57 years. 
Beloved of God, he lov'd that name 



EPITAPHS. 1 33 

On Britain's isle long did proclaim 

That Christ is God, the sinner's friend; 
He boldly preached to his end. 
His life in tribulation's road he trod, 
But now he reigns with Christ, his God. 

From Hampton burying-ground, New Hampshire: 

In memory of the reverend Ebenezer Thayer, who for nearly 
twenty-six years dispensed the bread of life to the society in this 
place; and, on the 6th of September 1792, fell asleep in Jesus, sup- 
ported by the Christian hope of a resurrection to eternal life, aet. 58. 
While o'er this modest stone religion weeps, 
Beneath, a humble, cheerful christian sleeps. 
Sober, learn'd, prudent, free from care and strife, 
He filled the useful offices of life. 
Admired, endear'd, as husband, father, friend, 
Peace blessed his days, and innocence his end. 
Blameless throughout, his worth by all approv'd, 
True to his charge and by his people lov'd, 
He lived to make his hearers faith abound, 
And died that his own virtues might be crowned. 

F ro m Phila de Iph ia , Pa . : 

Dieser stein, decket die asche des weiland hoch ehr wurdigen 
doctor's und prediger's Herrn Casper Dieterich Weiburg's, er erb- 
lickte das licht dieser welt, im jahr, 1733, den 21 ten. October; starb 
von vielen edeldenckenden betaurt, den 21 ten. August, 1790. In 
einem alter von 56 jahren und 10 monaten — dieute mit seegen be- 
kron't der hiesigen Hochdeutschen reformirten gemeinde, 26 jahrem 
Acht tage nach seinem absterben folgte seme jungfer tochter 
Salome. In einem alter von 19 jahren ihm zur ewigkeit die bier 
zu seiner seite ruh't. 

Soruh'stdu, Gottes niann, wen selbst im staub' auch hicr. 

Wo sechs und zwanzig jahr, du oft die traue still test; 

Und diese thraue, ach! verdoppelt flieszat sic dir, 

Der du sonst unser hertz, mit Gottes trost erfull' test. 



1 34 PROFESSIONAL 

Sie fallt durch schmertz erprest, auf deinen leichenstein 
Und jeder sagt er ist es werth, dasz man ihm weim. 
Sich wanderer diese gruft mit stiller ehrfurcht an 
Hier ruh't ein wahrer Christ, und Gott's gelehrter mann, 
Ein edier menschenfreund der sich den ruhm erworben, 
Das er im Herr'n geleb't und in dem Herr n gestorben. 

[Translation. — This stone covers the ashes of the 
late Rev. Dr. and preacher,CasperDieterich Weibergs. 
He saw the light of this world, 21 October, 1733, 
died lamented by many noble-minded characters, 21 
August, 1790 at the age of 56 years and 10 months; 
served, crowned with divine blessings, the German 
reformed congregation in this place, 26 years. Eight 
days after his departure, followed him into eternity, 
his virgin daughter Salome. Her remains are here 
resting at his side. 

Thou art now thyself, man of God, resting here in 
dust, where for six and twenty years thou hast dried 
away our tears. Tlusse tears, alas! now doubled flow 
for thee, who wast wont to comfort us. On thy 
gravestone they painfully flow, the tribute of, and 
connected with, confessions of thy worth. ' 

Traveller! Look on this grave with silent reverence; 
here rests a Christian indeed, a man learned in things 
of God, a noble philanthropist, one who is believed to 
have both lived and died in the Lord.] 

At St. James' Church, JV&w London, Conn.: 

Sacred may this marble long remain, the just tribute of affection, 
to the memory of the truly venerable and beloved pastor of this 
church, the right rev. Samuel Seabury, D. D. bishop of Connecti- 



EPITAPHS. 



135 



cut and Rhode Island, who was translated from earth to heaven, 25 
Feb. 1796 in the 68 year of his age, and the 12 of his consecration, 
but still lives in the hearts of a grateful diocess. 

At Bristol, R. L: 

Sacred to the memory of rev. John' Usher, late rector of this 
church, who departed this life, 5 July, 1S04, in hope and full assur- 
ance of the resurrection to a better, aged 84 years; a kind and ten- 
der parent, an ardent, active, faithful friend, a just and generous 
man, and sincere Christian. 

An angel's arm 
Can't snatch me from this tomb 
Nor can a host of angels keep me here. 

At Montmlle, Conn.: 

Sacred to the memory of the rev. David Jewett, A. M. ordained 
pastor of the second church in New London, October, A. D. 1739. 
He rested from his labors, 6 June, A. D. 1783, JEt. 69. 

Dost thou mourn Philander's fate? 

I know thou says't it; says thy life the same? 

He mourns the dead, who lives, as they desired. 

A christian is the highest style of man. 

From Fredricksburg, Va.: 

Here lies the body of Edward Helder, practitioner in physic 
and chirurgery. Born in Bedfordshire, England, in the year of our 
Lord 1542. Was contemporary with, and one of the pall-bearers 
to the body of William Shakespeare. After a brief illness his spirit 
ascended in the year of our Lord 1618, aged seventy-six. 



At Cheshire, C 



own,.: 



Here lies ye Body of Doct. Isaac BARTHOLOMEW, he died Aug- 
ust ye 35, 1710, in ye XI year of his age. 

he that was sweet to my Repose 



136 PROFESSIONAL . 

Now is become a Stink under my Nose 

this is said of me 

So it will be said of thee. 

At Boxbury, Mass.: 

Sub spe immortali ye herse of mr. Benjamin Thomson, learned 
school-master and physician, and ye renowned poet of New Eng- 
land, obiit Aprilis 13 anno Domini 1714, et atatis sua? 74, mortuus 
sed immortalis. 

He that would try 
What is true happiness indeed, 
Must die. 

At Brookline, Mass. : 

Sacred to the memory of doctor Zabdiel Boylston, esq. physi- 
cian and F. R. S. who^first introduced the practice of inoculation into 
America. Through a life of extreme beneficence, he was always 
faithful to his word, just in his dealings, affable in his manners; and 
after a long sickness, in which he was exemplary for his patience 
and resignation to his Maker, he quitted this mortal life, in a just 
expectation of a happy immortality, on the first day of March, 
A. D. 1766, aetatisS7. 

From a clouded marble slab at Perth Amboy, New 
Jersey: 

In memory of the reverend Robert M'Kean. M. A. practitioner 
in physick, etc., and missionary from the society for propagating 
the gospel in foreign parts to the city of Perth Ambov, who was 
born 13 July 1732, N. S. and died 17 October, 1767. 

An unshaken friend, an agreeable companion, a rational divine, a 
skilful physician, and, in every relation in life, a truly benevolent 
and honest man. 

Fraternal love hath erected this monument. 



EPITAPHS. 137 

From Philadelphia, Pa.: 

Sacred to the memory of Hugh Hodge. M. D. who died, 15 July 
1793, in the 43 year of his age. In the midst of life and usefulness 
distinguished by qualities most estimable in the human character, 
integrity, intelligence, benevolence, and industry ; connected with 
the world by tenderest domestick ties and social bonds ; for as hus. 
band, father, brother, friend, and citizen none excelled him ; possess- 
ing medical skill, to which those who trusted thought their hold on 
life was strengthened; he fell before the stroke of death, teaching 
the reader the emphatick vanity of human life, urging them always to 
be looking to eternity, always to be prepared to die. 

f From Alexandria, D. C. : 

Sacred to the memory of Robert Crighton esq. M. D. a native 
of Scotland. He served, professionally, in Braddock's army, and 
after the defeat of that ill-fated officer, went to the Island of Jamaica, 
where he resided for forty years, and until declining health induced 
him to come to America in search of relief. It was in Alexandria, 
after a painful illness, death arrested him, on the iS day of Novem- 
ber, A. D. 1801, in the 67 year of his age, much regretted by his 
friends and acquaintances. 

This monument, while it expresses the attachment of his widow, 
reminds those, by whom it- may be observed, it is appointed unto 
men once to die and alter death the judgment. \ 

At Portsmouth, N. H.: 

Here rest the remains of doctor Joshua Brackett, late presi- 
dent of the New Hampshire Medical society who, in full belief of 
the restoration of all things, calmly resigned his breath, 17 Tuly, 
A. 1). 1802, in the 69 year of his age. 

At Norwich, Conn.: 

In memory ot doctor Joshua Lathrop. He died 29 October . 
A. D. 1S07 in the 85 year of his age 



138 PROFESSIONAL 

A soul prepared needs no delays; 
The summons comes, the saint obeys ; 
Swift was his flight, and short the road 
He clos'd his eyes and saw his God. 

On a stone in New York State, is the following to 
the memory of Dr. Bowers: 

Josiah Bowers, M. D. 

Born September ist 1791 ; died November 7 th 1S68. 

The true physician, skillful and prompt to relieve the suffering ; 

the firm upholder of the right ; the bold defender of the oppressed ; 

the advocate of reform; the philanthropist, patriot and christian: he 

lives in our hearts. 

At Portland: 

John Chipman, esq, barrister at law, was born, 23 October, A. 
D. 1722, and died, 1 July, 1768, of an apoplexy, with which he was 
suddenly seized, in the court house in Falmouth, while he was ar- 
guing a case before the superior court of judicature, then sitting. 

To the remembrance of his great learning, uniform integrity, and 
singular humanity and benevolence this monument is dedicated, by 
a number of his brethren at the bar. 

At New Haven, Conn.: 

Samuel Bishop, town clerk of New Haven 54 years; its repre- 
sentative at 54 sessions of the general assembly, judge of the county 
and probate courts ; died mayor of the city, and collector of the port, 
7 August. 1803, aged 80. 

At Portsmouth, N. H.: 

Sacred to the memory of Jonathan Mitchell Sewall, esq, 
counsellor at law, who departed this life, 29 March, 1S03, aged 60. 
In vain shall worth or wisdom plead to save 



EPITAPHS. 139 

The dying victim from the destin'd grave, 
Nor charity, our helpless nature's pride, 
The friend to him, who knows no 'friend heside; 
Nor genius, science, eloquence have power, 
One moment, to protract th' appointed hour! 
Could these united his life have reprieved 
We should not weep, for Sewall still had lived. 

At York: 

Here lies buried the body of Abraham Preble, esq, and captain 
in the town, and judge in the county of York. lie served his 
country in various other posts and, at the time of his death, which 
was on the 14 March, 1723, in the 50 year of his age. he sustained 
no less than nine offices, with honor. 

At Plymouth, Mass.: 

Andrew FARRELL, of respectahle connexions, in Ireland, aged 
38 years, owner and commander of the ship, Ilihernia, sailed from 
Boston, 26 Jan. and was wrecked on Plymouth beach, 28 Jan. 1805. 
His remains with five of seven seamen, who perished with him, are 
here interred. 

() piteous lot of man's uncertain state: 

What woes on life's eventful journey wait! 

By sea, what treacherous calms, what sudden storms, 

And deatli attendant in a thousand form-' 

At Providence, R. I.: 

A warning was denied; 

I low many fail as sudden, not as sale. 
This sepulchral tablet, reared by filial gratitude and affection, is 
consecrated to the memory of captain Zeph wiah Brown, who was 
suddenly summoned by unerring wisdom, to another and a better 
world, on the 25 of July, A. 1). 1810, in the 72 year ot" his age. I le 
was, tor a series ot' years, a nautical commander, ot' rectitude ami 
ability, from Providence, his native town. His industry and pro 



140 PROFESSIONAL 

priety of conduct in his hazardous profession having been blessed 
he engaged in commercial pursuits, which he conducted with 
increased reputation and prosperity to the closing scene. He be- 
came a useful and revered member of several incorporated institu- 
tions, and amidst the vicissitudes of life, love to God and good will 
to men were conspicuous traits of his character. To the intrinsick 
excellence of his exemplary moral life were peculiarly united the 
endearing qualities of the affectionate husband, tender father, faith- 
ful friend and benevolent neighbor. 

Life lives beyond the grave. 

At Albany, N. Y.: 

John Barber who was born at Langford in London, came, in 
early life, to America and died at Albany, where he was printer to 
the state of New York, on the 10 of July 1803, aged 50 years. 
The life of man 
Is summ'd in birth days and in sepulchres; 
But the eternal God had no beginning, 
He hath no end. 

At Philadelphia, Pa.: 

In memory ofrar. William Grant, of this city, merchant, who 
lived beloved, and died lamented by his family, his friends, and his 
country, 30 September, 1750, aged 40 years. 

Spectator, feel if thou canst shed a tear, 

Come pay the melancholy tribute here. 

Here lies the dust, which once religion fir'd, 

Which friendship warm'd, benevolence inspired; 

Where pity melted and good nature smil'd, 

Contentment dwelt and honor undeftTd. 

Whate'er could grace the man, the friend the saint; 

These virtues form'd thy soul, lamented Grant, 

Thy soul, that now with seraph shines above. 

In thy connatural element of love. 

Thy weeping widow rears this humble stone, 



EPITAPHS. 141 

A grateful monument of worth well-known; 
Thy friend inscribes it, and would humbly claim 
To join his own to thy beloved name. 

S. Davies. 

At Alexandria^ D. C: 

Beneath this stone are deposited the remains of mrs. AnxkWar- 
ren, daughter of John Brunton esq. of England, and wife of Wil- 
liam Warren, esq. one of the managers of the Philadelphia and Bal- 
timore theatres. 

By her loss the American stage has been deprived of its bright- 
est ornament. The unrivalled excellence of her theatrical talents 
was only surpassed by the many virtues and accomplishments, 
which adorned her private life. In her were combined, the affec- 
tionate wife, the tender mother, the sincere friend. She died at 
Alexandria, on the 28 of June 1808, aged 39 yearsA 

At Newport, R. I. : 

Here are deposited the remains of Christopher Champlini 

esq. president of the bank of Rhode Island, and the first grand 
master of the masonick fraternity in this state, who died, on the 25 
day of April, 1805, in the 75 year of his age. Unambitious of pub- 
lick employments and honors, he was respected in society for his 
good sense, incorruptible integrity and persevering industry in com- 
mercial pursuits, in which he was successfully engaged for half a 
century. Distinguished by the practice of all the virtues, that ren- 
der valuable the near relations of life, he was most tenderly beloved 
by his family. In his last sickness he manifested his firm belief of 
the christian religion, which he had always cherished, and he ex- 
pired, full of hopes, grounded on its promises. 

From a marble monument in the burial-yard apper- 
taining to Trinity Church, New York, N. Y.: 

Herunder h viler det dodelige af Lars Nannestad, Kongelig 
Dansk vejermester og post-mester paa oen St. Thomas i Vestindien 



142 PROFESSIONAL 

samt kirke vaerge, assessor i borger raadet og fattiges formijnder 
sammesteds fod den 6to. Junii, 1757, i Lille Nestvedpaa oen Sirel- 
land i Danmark gift i aai-et 1789, med Anna Maria Elizabeth Wind- 
berg ankom med hende til New York den 3ite May, 1807, for sit 
svage helbreds skijld, og blev der af herren henkaldt til et bedre liv 
den 24 de Julii sammeaar i en alder af 49 aar og nogle dage. Hans 
esterlevende dijbstorg ende enke har sat det monument til taknem- 
lig evindring om den Kiajrligste a^getefa^ble. 

Bliid du sank i dodens giemme 

Bliid som all din vandel var 

Aldrig aldrig kan jeg giemme 

Hvad for mig du vaeret har. Amen. 

[Translation. — Underneath lay the remains of 
Lars Nannestad, his Danish majesty's weigher and 
post-master in the island of St. Thomas, assessor in 
the burgher-council, church warden, and guardian of 
the poor at the same place. He was born on the 6 
June, 1757, at Lille Nestved, on the island of Zea- 
land, in Denmark; married, in the year, 1789, to 
Anna Maria Elizabeth Wind berg, and arrived with 
her at New York, on the 31 day of May, 1807, for 
the benefit of a declining health, and was on the 24= 
day of July, same year, called to a better life, aged 
49 years and some days. The surviving and discon- 
solate widow has erected this monument as a grate- 
ful remembrance of a most affectionate husband.] 

From Christ church burying-ground, Philadel- 
phia. : 

In memory of 

Richard Thornhill 
Died Jany 12th 1827, 



EPITAPHS. 143 

Aged Si years. 
Fifty of which, he was a ringer at Christ Church. 
Life's chequered peal, he sung whilst here below, 
Resigned he met the change, and wished to go. 

From St. Clair burying-ground, Canada — on a 
briokmaker — a far-simile of one in Aliscombe church- 
yard, England: 

Keep death and judgement always in your kyk, 

Or else the devil oft* with you will fly, 

And in his kiln with brimstone ever try : 

It" you neglect the narrow road to seek, 

Christ will reject you, like a HALF-BURNT BRICK ! 

At St Johns, New Brunswick, on an old mariner: 

Weep for a seaman, honest and sincere, 

Not cast away, but brought to anchor here, 

Storms had o'erwhelm'd him, but the conscious wave 

Repented, and resigned him to the grave. 

In harbor, safe from shipwreck now he lies, 

Till Times last signal blazes through the skies. 

Refitted in a moment he'll then be. 

Sail from this port on an eternal sen. 

Epitaph on a Long Island carpenter: 

No wonder he sawed short life's span, 
For long he was a (n) ailing man. 

On a mechanic: 

lie was a man of invention great, 
Above all that lived nigh, 
But he could not invent to live, 
When God called him to die. 



144 PROFESSIONAL 

On a glazier — from a burying-groimd near Boston, 



Precarious dealer ; Death alas 
Has snapt in two life's brittle glass. 
Keen was thy di'mond on the pane 
And well the putty stopped the rain, 
But all thy arts, were weak thro life, 
Death cut more certain with his scythe. 
And thou safe from a rainy day 
Are puty'd up in mother clay. 

On a dentist: 

He is filling his last cavity. 

On a coroner, who hanged himself: 

He lived and died by suicide. 

On an old sexton at Dorchester, Mass.: 

This grave was dug and finished 
in the vear 1833, 
• ^y 
Daniel Davenport 
when he had been sexton 
in Dorchester 
twenty-seven years, 
had attended 1135 funerals, 
and dug 734 graves. 
As a sexton with my spade I learned 
To delve beneath the sod; 
Where body to the earth returned, 
But spirit to its God. 
Years twenty-seven this toil it bore, 
And midst deaths oft was spared. 
Seven hundred graves and thirtv-four T dug. 



EPITAPHS. 



145 



Then mine prepared. 
And when at last I too must die- 
Some else the bell will toll ; 
As here mv mortal relics lie, 
May heaven receive mv soul. 

[.Note. — He continued to perform the duties of sex- 
ton until 1852, and died in 18G0 — twenty-seven years 
after digging his grave.] 




LUDICROUS, ECCENTRIC AND 
RIDICULOUS EPITAPHS. 



Ludicrous, Eccentric and 
Ridiculous Epitaphs. 



" They have all 
Gone like tenants that quit without warning, 
Down the back-entry of time." 

— Holmes. 



Epitaph 
Sacred to the memory of 
LITTLE JERRY. 
Grim Death has taken darling little Jerry, 
The son of Joseph and Serena Howels; 
Seven days he wrestled with the Dysentery, 
And then he perished in his little bowels. 

It was the Saviour wanted little Jerry, 
Who bids the little ones to come to Him. 
It's probable now that he's practising very, 
Assiduous like, his little Angel hymn. 

No doubt 'twas weaning, injured little Jerry, 
The bottle seemed to damp his stomach's tone 
But with the angels he gets plump and merry, 
For there's no nursing bottles where he's gone. 

T- R- Kaml. 
149 



150 LUDICROUS, ETC. 

Epitaph inscribed on a tombstone in Arlington, 
Va.: 

Here lies the body of John Custis, who died , aged 77 

years ; and yet lived but 7, being the time of his keeping a bachelor's 
house at Arlington, on the eastern shore of Virginia. 

An old gravestone in Milford, Conn., dated 1792, 
has the following singular epitaph on a young lady 
who died at the age of 24 years: 

Molly, tho' pleasant in her day 
Was suddenly seized and sent away. 
How soon she's ripe, how soon she's rotten. 
Laid in the grave and soon forgotten. 

From a biirying-ground in the vicinity of Boston: 

In memory of 

BETSEY 

-wife of David Darling 

died March 23d 1809, JE. 43. 

She was the Mother of 17 Children, and around 

her lies 1 2 of them, and two were lost at sea. 

Brother Sextons 

please to leave a clear birth for me 

near by this stone. 

Epitaph on a colored lady who was literally roasted 
in the fire that destroyed her habitation: 

Well done, thou good and faithful servant. 

On a tombstone in Vermont: 



C in 



sacred memory of 
the death of Mrs. L— P— wife of A. P- 



EPITAPHS; 151 

who. died of the Dropsy on the morning 

of 12th June 1814, aged 30, after the 

painful operation of twenty-two insitions, 

the water measured 41 gals, and 3 quarts & half of 

a pint, and weighed 353 lbs. 12 oz. 

Once twenty and two 

The lance did pierce the side 

Of her who bade adieu 
And with composure died. / 

From Shippeiisburg, Pa.: 

The memory of 
Sam. Will Smith. 
Who departed this life Nov. 14, 1801. 
This lovely boy near 8 years old, 
Lies Buried with his Brother 
His Sister lies on the one side 
And his Nephew on the other. 

From Schenectady, N. Y. : 

( He got a fish-bone in his throat, 
And then he sang an angel note. \ 

In Williamsjport, Pa., the following lines appear 
on a gravestone: 

Sacred to the memory of 

Henry H 

Born June 27th 1821 of Henry 11 

and Jane his wife. 
Died on the 4th of May, 1831, by the kick of 
a colt in his bow els. 
Peaceable and quiet, a friend to 
his father and mother, and respected 
by all who knew him, and went 



152 LUDICROUS, ETC. 

to the world where horses 
dont kick, where sorrows and weeping 
is no more. 

[Above this inscription is engraven on the stone, a 
diabolical picture of the colt in the act of planting 
his feet on the abdomen of the boy, who, as the le- 
gend runs, was a friend to his mother!] 

The following serio-comic epitaph comes from a 
California gold-digging ; 

In memory ov 

John Smith who met 

wierlent deth near this spot 

1 8 hundred and 40 too. He was shot 

by his own pistill; 

It was not one of the new kind, 

but a old fashioned 

brass barrel, and of such is the 

Kingdom of Heaven. 

Ona stone, in a village of Central Michigan^ may 
be found this inscription: 

Cora, wife of Thomas B 

Died June 5, 1857 in the 25th year of her age, 

She lived, beloved, — Died lamented by all w r ho new her. 

Through insanity she from her own husband did creep, 

leaving him in bed fast asleep, 

And to another room did go, 

And with a Razor caused her own blood to flow. 

On a tombstone in Pennsylvania are these lines: 

Battle of Shiloh, 
April 6, 1862. 



epitaphs. 153 

John D. L was born March 26th 1S39, in the town of West 

Dresden, State of New York, where the wicked cease from troub- 
ling and the weary are at rest. 

At the burial-ground, Middletovm, Conn., may be 
seen a tablet bearing this inscription: 

Sacred to the memory of 

Charley and Varley, 

Sons, of loving parents who died in infancy. 

From LaPointe, Lake Superior, comes the follow- 
ing: 

This stone was erected to the memory of , who was shot as 

a mark of esteem by his surviving relatives. 

From Princeton, Mass.: 

In memory of 
Capt. Elisha Allen, 
who was inhumanly mur- 
dered by Samuel Frost, 
July 1 6th 1793. 
aged 48 years. 

Passengers behold ! my friends and view 
Breathless I lie ; no more with you ; 
Hurried from life, sent to the grave; 
Jesus my only hope — to save ; 
No warning had of my sad fate 
Till dire the stroke, alas ! to late. 

A stone in Montgomery, Alabama, reads: 

Stop, you 

Stone Cutters, 

Here lays 

Sam Creer. 

1855- 



154 LUDICROUS, ETC. 

From New Hampshire: 

Richard Jenkins here doth lay 
(Lately removed from over the way) 
His body's here — his soul's in heaven. 
1767. 

This is from Genesee county, Western New York: 

Here lies a Father and a Mother true, 
A Granther and a Granny tue. 

A gravestone in the old cemetery at Bayfield, Wis., 
has the following: 

Basil, child of Jos. Davis, 

& Fleuvis Davis. Died 

On August, 1864, aged 4 years, & 4 mths & 18 days. 

Struck 

by 

Thunder. 

Here is another curious specimen from a stone in 
the churchyard at Glastonbury, Conn.: 

Here lies one whos 

Lifes Threads cut 

Asunder ; she was 

Struck dead by a clap 

of thunder. 

Also a third (only this time it is lightning instead 
of thunder that " did the bad deed ") from Dover, 
Maine: 

The storm did rage, the wind' did blow — 
One flash of lightning laid him low — 
His brother come, but oh! no sound — 
Dead on the spot there he was found. 



EPITAPHS. 155 

At Bristol, Connecticut; 

Five hundred miles out to the west 
'Tis there my body lies at rest, 
Hoping when the Lord shall come, 
To meet my friends who die at home. 

This is from a cemetery near Cincinnati: 

( Here lies 

who came to this city and died 
for the benefit of his health. 

Epitapli on an Ohio woman's tombstone: 

Neuralgia worked on Mrs. Jones 
'Till 'neath the sod it laid her. 
She was a worthy Methodist, 
And served as a crusader. 
Her obsequies were held at two, 
With plenty of good carriages. 
Death is the common lot of all, 
And comes as oft as marriages. 

In a Connecticiit churchyard is the following epi- 
taph on an old man, who when he died had a large 
wen on the top of his dead: 



f; 



Our father lies beneath the sod, 
His Spirit's gone unto his God ; 
We never more shall hear his tread, 
Nor see the wen upon his head. \ 



On a tombstone in Tarrytown, N. Y., is thus re 
corded the singular relationship of Edward C 



156 LUDICROUS, ETC. 

who died Feb. 26th, 1786, aged 56 years and 4 
months: 

Here lies a tender and indulgent Father 
To wife, children & his neighbor ; 
His soul adorned with heaven! v grace 
Now sees his Saviour's lovely face. 

A stone in Bradford, Vt., carries this couplet: 

She lived — Avhat more can then be said : 
She died — and all we know she's dead. 

A slab in the village graveyard at Felchville, Vt., 
records for the benefit of posterity, that: 

On the 31st August 1754, Capt. James Johnson, had a daughter 
born on this spot of ground being captivated with his whole family 
by the Indians. 

In the Catholic burying-ground at Reesc'dle* N.Y., 
may be seen this couplet: 

Here lies the bodies of two sisters dear 
One's buried in Ireland — the other lies here. 

The following is said to be on a gravestone near 
Hartford, Conn,: 

Here lies two babes, so dead as nits; 
De Lord he Kilt dem mit his ague fits. 
When dey was too good to live mit me, 
He took dem up to live mit He, 
So he did. 



EPITAPHS. 157 

From the Necropolis, Toronto, Canada ; 

Sacred to the memory of 

Wm. Mulligan 

■who departed this life 

-4 Aug. 1854 

Aged 2S years. 

A long, distinguished linen draper, near Brainbridge, Co. Down, 

Ireland. 

Over the grave of a little babe in Burlington, la., 
is this stanza: 

Beneath this stone our baby \a\> 

He neither cries nor hollers ; 
He lived just one and twenty days 
And cost us forty dollars. 

On a tombstone in Maryland: 



( 



Here I lie 
With my three daughters, 
All of drinking Cheltenham waters 
If we had stuck to Epsom salts, 
We'd not have been lying 
In these here vaults. 



Epitaph on a puritanical locksmith: 

A zealous Locksmith died of late, 
And did arrive at heaven's gate; 
He stood without and woidd not knock, 
Because he meant to pick the lock. 

From a tombstone at the "Devil's Gate" — a | 
in the Rocky Mountains: 

Here lies the body of Carrie Sodd, 
Who has lately died and gone to God; 



158 LUDICROUS, ETC. 

Which shows that redemption is never too late 
For she was saved at the "Devil's Gate." 

From a graveyard at Augusta, Maine; 

Stranger, pause and shed a tear, 

For I was very beautiful ; 

But sickness came ; I had to die ; 

And have gone to play with the angels. 

The following comes from Indiana'. 

He died at nashville tennessee 
he died of kronic diaree 
it trooly paneful must of bin 
to die so fur away from home. 

This is in remembrance of a man who died June 
29th, 1856, aged 63 years, and was buried at the jSTe- 
cropolis, Toronto, Canada: 

Sickness sore short time I Bore 
Physicians Where All in Vain 
God Was Pleased to Give me Ease 
And Freed me From my Pain. 

The following is an inscription on a tombstone in 
Pittsburg, Penn.: 

Din, Dan, my Passing bell, 
Fare you well my mother 
Burie me in my own churchyard 
Beside my own dere Brother 
When I die my Conn is Black 
With six Brite Angils on my back 
tow to Sing and tow to pray 
And tow to carry my Sole away. 



EPITAPHS. 159 

A tombstone in St. Mary's Churchyard, Burling - 
ton. New Jersey* affords this stanza: 

Here lies the body of Mary Ann Lovvder, 
She burst while drinking a seidleitz powder, 
Called from this world to her heavenly rest, 
She should have waited 'till it effervesced. 

From a New England graveyard : 

Here lies John Auricular, 
Who in the ways of the Lord walked perpendicular. 

From a Waukegan graveyard, Illinois: 

Words are wanting to say what, 
Think what a friend should be, 
He was that are. 

From a graveyard in Arkansas: 

On a daughter of Mrs Cabbage — 
Sweet bud of innocence, so soon decayed, 
So soon lopped off in tenderest vegetation. 

In a North Carolina burying-ground is a stone 
erected to the memory of E. Pluribus Unum, young- 
est son of John T. and Caroline Oliver, departed this 
life Nov. 30, 1860, aged 1 year, 10 m. 9 d.: 

Farewell thou charming little son, 

We never shall hear thy voice again 

Farewell little E Pluribus Unum 

May we together in heaven rich blessings share. 



160 LUDICROUS, ETC. 

A tombstone in Nashville cemetery, Tenn., says 
of the deceased : 

His accounts were found square to a cent. 

From an old burying-ground near Baltimore: 

Peter Lettig was his name, 
Heaven I hope his station 
Baltimore was his dwelling place 
And Christ is his salvation. 
Now he is dead and buried 
And all his bones are rotten 
Remember him when this you see 
Lest he should be forgotten. 

At Guilford, Indiana-. 

Ann, wife of I. H. B , died June 187—, aged 45 years less 45 

days. 

Dear angel wife 

I gave the parting kiss 

Twenty-one yrs. we lived 

In truth and bliss, 

Always firm 

But never mild 

1 never saw 

Her strike a child. 

Iii Oxford, New Hampshire; 

To all my friends I bid adieu; 
A more sudden death you never knew : 
As I was leading the old mare to drink, 
She kicked and killed him quicker'n a wink. 

Iii Kenosha cemetery, Wis., may be seen two 



EPITAPHS. 161 

tombstones, one to the memory of Lewis Knapp, and 
the other to that of his departed wife. Suffice it to 
say that Mr. Knapp was still in the land of the living 
when the stones were erected. 
The inscriptions read : 

Susan P. Foster, 

wife of 
Lewis Knapp. 
My dear and loving wife, meet me, with our spirit friends, at the 
gate of the Elysian Fields of Paradise, where I am coming by Na- 
ture's fast express. Until there we meet, a loving adieu. 
P. S. — Our friends W. and A. will soon join us there. 



Lew. 



Happy! Happy day! Hallelujah! 
Amen! 



Old Broadguage 

Lewis Knapp, 

Asjed — years, 

Emigrated , 

to join his wife and other friends in the Celestial Fields of Paradise, 
thanking God for sense enough to die as He had lived for thirty 
years, thoroughly infidel to all ancient and modern humbug-myths 
as taught for fine clothes and place, at others' cost, by an indolent, 
egotistic, self-elected Priestly Crew. 

The fear of the Right Reverend Doctors of Divinity, theological 
scare-crow of Hellfire and Damnation to all who refuse to pay tithes 
to their support, had no force or effect on Lewis Knapp. 



From Milan, Ohio, 



Dear Willie how we miss you 
We miss your pleasant smile 
Your kind little hand 
We never shall see you 
We never shall kiss you 
Till we go to the promised land — coin- 
posed by his mother. 



1(>2 LUDICROUS, ETC. 

On a tract peddler who sat down on a can of nitro- 
glycerine (no vouchers): 

To the azure depths of the upper air 
His body had flewn, flewn, Sewn. 
A bit of him here, and a bit of him there, 
And over the landscape everj 7 where — 
It now lies strewn, strewn, strewn ; 
But his soul I believe, and am willing to swear 
Is grandly climbing the golden stair, 
To an anti-glycerine time; 
Gone where they dont put it up in cans. 

At Zedyard, Conn., on a man who after several 
attempts at suicide, died from natural causes: 

— He died an honest death — 

A tombstone in Portland, Maine, bears this coup- 
let: 

The little hero that lies here 
Was conquered by the diarrhea. 

Inscription on Governor Eaton's monument: 

T' attend you, sir, under these framed stones, 
Are come your honored son and daughter Jones. 
On each hand to repose their weary bones. 

From Lafayette, Ind. ; 

Here lies I 
Killed by a sky 
Rocket in my eye. 

The following is on an ancient tombstone at Da-m- 



ariscotta, Maine: 



EPITAPHS. 1 68 

Now Dad is dead and gone, 
Dad left me here alone ; 
But hope in Christ I have, 
That he and I will save. 

A Colorado tombstone says: 

He was young, 
He was fair, 
But the Injuns 
Raised his ha'r. 

On a tombstone in Ohio, is the following singular 
inscription i 

Under this sod 

And under these trees 

Lieth the bod- 

y of Solomon Pease. 

He's not in this hole, 

But only his pod ; 

He shelled out his soul 

And went up to his God. 

The departure of Miss Betty Conway is thus com- 
memorated: 

Poor Betty Conway ! 
She drank lemonade 
At a masquerade; 
So now she's dead and gone away. 

The following stanza is copied from the tombstone 
of- a youngster who died from eating green cherries: 

A cherry incompletely ripe 
His little business did for him 



164 LUDICROUS, ETC. 

And now serenely free from gripe 
He is a bob- tailed cherubim. 

At Lebanon, Conn., on the tombstone of a yonng 
lady who died away from home: 

As a stranger she did die, 
In strange lands she doth lie, 
Here by strangers she was laid, 
And her funeral charges paid. 

From Union District, S. C: 

Here lies the body of Betty Bowden 
Who would live longer but she coulden, 
Sorrow and grief made her decay, 
Till her bad leg cai-ried her away. 

In Marthas Vineyard'. 

Lydia, wife of John Claghorn, 
John and Lydia, 
That lovely pair 
A whate killed him 
Here body lies here. 
Their souls we hope 
With Christ now reign 
So our great loss 
Is their great gain. 

In the cemetery at Keysville, iV". Y., is a grave- 
stone bearing this striking inscription: 

Sarah Thomas is dead 
And that's enough. 
The candle is out, 
Also the snuff. 



EPITAPHS. 165 

Her soul is in Heaven, 
You need not fear, 
And all that's left 
Is interred here. 

A. monument in the Catholic cemetery at Amboy, 
Illinois, erected over the grave of Patrick Jourdan, 
has the following: 

Patrick is my name, 

Ireland is my nation; 

Now Haggard is my dwelling-place, 

And Heaven my expectation. 




PUNNING AND SATIRICAL 
EPITAPHS. 



Punning and Satirical 
Epitaphs. 



" Let me alone, for I love to shy 
These bits of things at the passers-by." 

— Broxvnell. 

A Baltimore gormandizer's epitaph on a Boarding- 
House Rooster: 

Here lies in plenitude of years, 
A noble chanticleer; 
He led a virtuous chicken life 
And died without a fear. 

Here lie his bones and muscles too, 
Untouched by carver's art ; 
Tenacious to the very last, 
In death they would not part. 

From Keesville, JSf. Y.: 

Here lies a man of good repute, 
Who wore a No. 16 Boot. 
'Tis not recorded how he died, 
But sure it is, that open wide, 
169 



170 PUNNING 






The gates of heaven must have been 
To let such monstrous leet within. 

A tombstone in New Orleans, erected over the grave 
of a negro who was scalded to death, bears this in- 
scription : 

Sacred to the memory of our 'steamed friend. 

From the tombstone of a youth who died from too 
much fruit pie : 

Currants. have checked the current of my blood, 

And berries brought me to be buried here ; 

Pears have par'd off my body's hardihood, 

And plums and plumbers spare not one so spare. 

Fain would I feign my fall ; so fair a fare 

Lessens not hate, yet, 'tis a lesson good. 

Gilt will not long hide guilt, such thin-washed ware, 

Wears quickly, and its rude touch soon is rued. 

'Grave on my grave some sentence grave and terse, 

That lies not as it lies upon my clay, 

But in a gentle strain of unstrained verse, 

Prays all to pity a poor patty's prey, 

Rehearses I was fruitful to my hearse, 

Tells that my days are told, and soom I'm toll'd away. 

At Sag Harbor, Long Island; 

Behold, ye mortals passing by, 
How thick the partners of one husband lie, 
Vast and unsearchable the ways of God ; 
Just but severe his chastening rod. 

From a burying-ground in the vicinity of Boston, 
Mass. ■' 

Here lies ye body of 
Mrs. Amhey Hunt wife of 



EPITAPHS. 171 

Mr. Benjamin Hunt 

Who died Nov. 26th 1769, 

Aged 40 years. 

A sister of Sarah Lucius lieth here, 
Whom I did love most Dear, 
And now her Soul hath took its Flight 
And bid her Spightful Foes good Night. 

The following spicy inscription is found on a tomb- 
stone at Hoosick Falls, New York; 

Ruth Sprague 
Died 1846, aged 9 yrs. & 4 months. 
She was stolen by Roderick R. Clow. Her body was dissected 
at the office of Dr. P. Armstrong, Hoosick, New York ; where her 
mutilated remains were found and deposited here. 

Her body dissected by fiendish men, 
Her bones anatomized, 
Her soul — we trust — has risen to God, 
Where few physicians rise. 

On a tombstone in Calvary Cemetery, Chicago, is 
this singular inscription: 

In memory of 
John S 

. who 

departed this life 

Jany. 13th 1859. Aged 28 years. 

Cold is my bed, but ah I love it, 

For colder are my friends above it. 

From a Rhode Island burying-ground : 

I dreamt that buried in my fellow clay 
Close by a common beggar's side I lay, 



172 SATIRICAL 

Such a mean companion hurt my pride 
And, like a corse of consequence, / cried 
" Scoundrel begone and henceiorth touch me not 
Now manners learn and at a distance rot." 
" Scoundrel in still hautier tones cried he, 
Proud lump of earth I scorn thy words and thee, 
All here are equal, thy place now is mine 
This is my rotting place, and that is thine." 

On a man whose memory is perpetuated by two 
tombstones in New Jersey — one in a Presbyterian 
churchyard, where his body is, and the other in a 
Methodist churchyard where his body was. The in- 
scription on the stone where he isn't reads: 

Interred in this spot his body did lay, 
On the grounds selected, for which he did pay; 
But his widow would not let his body alone, 
Because his first children reared a stone. 

After his death his children and second wife 
Sought to hold what he had earned during his life 
His first children no claim, no portion should hold, 
So they robbed his grave and his lot they sold. 

On the tomb of a wife, a shrew in life, to the in- 
scription, " Kesuegam " were added the words, "But 
don't tell my dear husband of it." 

On a Quaker's second wife: 

Here lies wife second of old Wing Rogers, 
She's safe from cares and I from bothers ; 
If death had known thee as well as I, 
He ne'er had stopped, but passed thee by, 
I wish him joy, but much I fear, 
He'll rue the dav he came thee near. 



EPITAPHS. 173 

The following four are from tombstones in Massa- 
chusetts ; 

To the memory of Captain Barber, a staunch patriot, who fought 
and bled for his country, who was foremost in all the stormy deeds 
of his nation's history. Known to be a liberal man! but he was a 
glutton and a wine-bibber! drove his only son to sea and to ruin; 
killed his wife by his misdeeds, and died drunk in his fifty-first 
year. 

To the memory of Mary Gold, 

Who was gold in nothing but her name. 

She was a tolerable woman for an acquaintance 

But O. H. himself couldn't live with her. 

Her temper was furious 

Her tongue was vindictive, 

She resented a look and frowned at a smile, 

And was as sour as vinegar. 

She punished the earth upwards of 40 years, 

To say nothing of her relations 

This to the memory of Ellen Hill, 

A woman who would always have her will, 

She snubbed her husband, though she made good bread, 

And on the whole, he's rather glad she's dead. 

She whipped her children (and she drank her gin), 

Whipped virtue out, and whipped the devil in. 

May all such women go to some great fold, 

Where they through all eternity can scold. 

John T , Schoolmaster. 

May he be punished as often as he punished us. 

He was a hard old shell. 

He said the Lord's Prayer every morning. 

May the Lord forgive him, as often as he forgave us, 

That was never. 

We his scholars rear this stone over his ashes, 



174 SATIRICAL 

Though they are not worth it. 
We are glad his reign is over, 

Amen. 

The following curious epitaph may be found at 
Duxbury, Mass., on the tombstone of an old lady, 
who was cut off at 87 years and 11 months: 

The chisel can't help her any. 
On an attorney-at-law: 

Here he lies as he always did, 
Stranger be civil — the rest God knows, 
So does the devil. 

Tn memory of the late lamented Thompson: 

Death came at half-past nine o'clock, 
And put out Thompson's candle, 
Thank Heaven, that gives him rest at last 
From this here Beecher Scandal. 

From the north cemetery at Dorchester, Mass.: 

Long fifty years full well he wrought, 
On buildings, fruit-trees, and the song ; 
With age, infirmity was brought, 
He pined, neglected — was that wrong! 

From a tombstone in Ohio is the following: 

Hear the old man lies, 

No one laughs no one cries. 

Where he has gone or how he fares 

No one knows and no one cares, 

But his brother James and his wife Emeline 

They was his friends all of the time. 



EPITAPHS. 175 

Epitaph on a money-lender; from a San Francis- 
co burying-ground: 

Here lies old thirty-five per cent: 
The more he made, the more he lent; 
The more he got, the more he craved ; 
The more he made, the more he shaved; 
Great God ! can such a soul be saved. 

From a tombstone in the Lafayette burying-ground, 
Indiana; 

Here lies the dust of old Zeke Polk 
His early days he spent in pleasure, 
His latter days in gathering treasure, 
To holy cheats he ne'er was willing, 
To give a solitary shilling. 
To him first-fruits were odious things, 
And so were bishops, tithes, and kings. 

This is from a tombstone in New Hampshire; 

Here lies our beloved daughter, 
Killed by the hands of the malicious Henry, 
Who on the way to school he met her 
And with a six self-cocked pistol, shot her. 

From a graveyard in New England; epitaph on 
the Rev. John Knowles: 

Vis Scire, quis Sim? Xomen est Knowles: Dixi Satis! 

[Translation.— Do yon wish to know who I am? 
My name is Knowles. I have told you enough.] 

From Virginia; 

My name, my country, what are they to thee? 
What whether high or low mv pedigree? 



176 SATIRICAL EPITAPHS. 

Perhaps I far surpassed all other men, 
Perhaps I fell behind them all — what then ? 
Suffice it stranger that thou see'st a tomb; 
Thou knows't its use ; it hides no matter whom. 

The following is an epitaph that was in sentiment 
raised at a medical college banquet in Chicago >, 1875, 
over the monumental pile of stones hurled at a Chem- 
ical Professor, who had the audacity, in a valedictory 
address, to maliciously slander the medical profession: 

Underneath these stones lie the Professor's bones, 

In life his sole affinity was evil, 

He pitched into the Doctor — floundered into hot water — 

And now carries The Times to the devil. 

Epitaph on "The Country Doctor:" 



r 



Here lies at length, tho' length not long, 
A vender of small fills . 

Who quacked his wares through little towns, 
For curing minor ills. 

This dapper doctor was so small, 
So small his sugar pills, 
That all his patrons looked aghast, 
To see his monstrous bills. 

Death cut him short, as life had done — 
How could he cut him long? 
As small his stature, fame and worth, 
So brief shall be my song. \ 



MISCELLANEOUS EPITAPHS- 



Miscellaneous Epitaphs. 



It takes all sorts to make a world." 



-Holland. 



The following is an inscription on an ancient grave- 
stone in Dorchester, Mass., over-the remains of two 
children buried in one grave: 

Abel, his offering accepted is ; 
His body to the grave, his soul to bliss, 
On October twenty and no more, 
In the year sixteen hundred 44. 

Submit, submitted to her heavenly king, 
Being a flower of the eternal Spring ; 
Near 3 years old she died in heaven to wait, 
The year was sixteen hundred 48. 

In Wat ertown, Mass., is a tablet inscribed: 

Here lies the precious dust of 



Thomas Bailey, 

A painful preacher, 

An eminent liver, 

A tender husband, 

A careful father, 

A brother in adversity, 

A faithful friend, 

179 



A most desirable neighbor, 
A pleasant companion, 
A common good, 
A cheerful doer, 
A patient sufferer, 
Lived much in little 
time. 



180 MISCELLANEOUS 

A good copv for all survivors. 

Aged 35 years. 

— He slept in Jesus the 21st of January, 1S6S. 

In Roxbury, Mass., may be seen this quaint in- 
scription over the grave, of Thomas Dudley, a colo- 
nial governor who died in 1G53, aet. 77: 

Thomas Dudley. 

Ah! old must die. 
A Death's head on your hand, you need not weare, 
A dying head you on your shoulders beare. 
You need not one to mind you, you must dye. 
You in your name may spell mortalitye. 
Younge men may dye. but old men these dye must : 
'Twill not be long before you turn to dust. 
Before you turn to dust! ah! must! old! dye! 
What shall young doe, when old in dust doe lye? 
When old in dust lye, what New England doe? 
When old in dust doe lye, its best dye too. 

A tombstone in Canton, Illinois, reads: 

Stranger step lightly o'er this grave 

Here lies the remains of 

GARY COLE 

aged 19 years. 

An orphan whose spirit is now in heaven 

the only friend she had left on God's earth, 

was Amos Smith. 



From the old burvinor-ground at Cranston, Rhode 



Island. 



Here lies the body of 

Joseph Williams. Esq. 

Son of Roger Williams. Esq. 



EPITAPHS. 



181 



(The first white man that came to Providence.) 
Born 1644. Died 1725. 
In King Philip's war, he courageously went through, 
And the native Indians he bravely did subdue; 
And now he's gone down into the grave, and he will be no more, 
Until it please Almighty God his body to restore 
Into some proper shape, as he thinks fit to be, 
Perhaps like a grain of wheat, as Paul set forth, you see, 
Corinthians I Book, 15 Chap. 37 verse. 

Long Island has a tombstone which reads: 

In memory of 

Michal, wife of Nath'l T 

who died Feb. 15, 1756. 
Beneath this little stone 
Does my beloved Jie, 
O pity, pity me, whoever passeth by ; 
And spend a tear at least, 
Or else a tear let fall, on my 
Sweet blooming rose, whom 
God so soon did call. 

This centic epitaph may be found on the tomb- 
stone of Rabbi Judah Morris, who was for forty 
years Hebrew Instructor in Harvard University; was 
converted to Christianity in 1722, and died at North- 
borough, Mass., in 1764: 

A native branch of Jacob see, 

Which once from off its olive broke; 

Regrafted from the living tree, Rom. XI. 17-24. 

Of the reviving sap partook. 

From teeming Zion's fertile womb. Isa. LXVI. 8. 

As dewy drops in early morn. Ps. CX. 3. 

Or rising bodies from the tomb. John, V. 28, 29. 

At once be Israel's nation born. Isa. LXVI. 8. 



182 



MISCELLANEOUS 



The following is from Litchfield, Conn.: 

Here lies the body of Mrs. Mary, wife of Deacon John Buel, Esq. 

She died Nov. 4, 1768, aged 90 having had 13 Children, 101 

Grand-Children, 247 Great-Grand-Children, and 49 Great-Great- 
Grand-Children; total 410. 

Three Hundred and Thirty-six survived her. 



A stone in Bedford churchyard, Mass., says: 

Here lies the Body 

of 2 Children of Capt. Edward 

Stearns & Mrs. Lucy his 

wife. 



Edward 

died May ye 

24th 1768. In 

the 8th year 

of his age. 

Here lies ye Bones of Edward 

Stearns 
His soul I trust rests in 

Christ's arms ; 
And when ye last trumpet 

shall sound 
Then he shall rise out 

of the ground. 



Lucy 

died May ye 

20th 1768. In 

the 13th year 

of her age. 

The Body of a lovely 

" Maid 
Lies buried in her 

silent grave 
And in it doth take 

quiet Rest 
As is of Beds it were 

the Best. 



In Westminster churchyard, Vt.: 

In memory of William French who was shot at Westminster 
March ye 12th, 1775, by the hand of the cruel Ministerial tools of 
Georg ye 3rd at the Court-house at a 11 o'clock at night in the 22d 
year of his age. 

Here William French his Body lies 

For Murder his Blood for Vengeance cries. 

King Georg the third his Tory crew 



EPITAPHS. 183 

tha with a bawl his head Shot threw. 
For Liberty and his Country's Good, 
He Lost his Life his Dearest blood. 

From an ancient stone in New Preston, Conn.: 

—1777- 

Here did she go 
Just as she did begin 
Death to know 
Before she knew to sin. 

From a Vermont tombstone: 

Here lies, cut down, like unripe fruit, 

A son of Mr. Amos Tute, 

And of Mrs Jemima Tute, his wife, — 

Called Jonathan ; of whose frail life, 

The days all summed, how short the account, 

Scarcely to fourteen years amount. 

Born the twelfth of May was he 

In seventeen hundred and sixty-three; 

To death he fell a hopeless prey 

On April V. & twentieth day, 

In seventeen hundred and seventy-seven, 

Quitting this world, we hope, for heaven. 

Behold the amazing alteration 

Effected by innoculation : 

The means employed his life to save 

Hurried him headlong to the grave. 

At New Milford, Conn. : 

Rest here, my body, till the Archangel's voice more sonorous far 
than nine fold thunder, wakes the sleeping dead; then rise to thy 
just sphere and be my house immortal. 

Composed by the 
deceased Partridge Thatcher, Esq. 



184 MISCELLANEOUS 

On a tombstone in Maine, is this tribute to an un- 
fortunate husband, by his distressingly relieved 
widow: 

Sacred to the memory of James H. R m, who died Aug. the 

6th, 1800. His widow who mourns as one who can be comforted, 
aged 24, and possessing every qualification for a good wife, lives at 
street, in this village. 

The following lines are on the tombstone of Robert 
C. "Wright, near Appomattox Court House, Va.: 

Robert C. Wright was Born June 26th, 1772. Died July 2d, 
181 5, by the bloodthrusty hand of John Sweeney, Sr., who was 
massacre with the Nife, then a London Gun discharge a ball pene- 
trate the Heart that Give the immortal wound. 

From a stone in New York; 

In memory of 
The earthly house, or tabernacle of 

Sarah A. , 

Which fell Sep. 6th 1847, 

Which had been standing 

37 years and 5 months : 

Her Phsychology 

was the. wife of 

Henry C. H , 

And daughter of 

Thomas and Mary, , 

John XI, 26th. 

Believest thou this? 

Yes! Sarah lives. 

At Dover, New Hampshire, is the following: 

Repository 
of 



EPITAPHS. 185 

Husband & Wife. 
Joseph Hartwell, Inanimated 

Apr. 7, 1867, JEt 68. 
Betsey Hartwell, Inanimated 
Dec. 7, 1862, JEt. 68. 
This embraces a period of 41 years. In all of our relations in life 
toward each other there has been naught but one continuation of fi- 
delity and loving kindness. We have never participated or counte- 
nanced in others secretly or otherwise that which was calculated to 
subjugate the masses of the people to the dictation of a few. And 
now we will return to our Common Mother, with our Individuali- 
ties in life unimpaired, to pass through together the ordeal of earth's 
chemical Laboratory preparatory to recuperation. 
Her last exclamations. 
If you should be taken away, I could not survive you. How 
happy we have lived together. Oh how you will miss me — Think 
not Mr. Hartwell I like you the less for being in the position you 
are in. No it only strengthens my affections. To those who have 
made professions of friendship and have then falsified them by liv- 
ing acts, Pass ox. 

In Rose Hill Cemetery, Chicago, is a stone bear- 
ing this inscription: 

Abbie Lomax, 
Died Nov. 23d 1871, 

Aged 6 months. 
Here lies a dear relic 
of the great Chicago fire. 

This comes from a graveyard near Detroit, Mich.: 

In Memory 

of 

Homer Clink 

who died 
Oct. 13, 1873, 



186 MISCELLANEOUS 

Aged 41 yrs. 7 mo., 21 days. 
He was the kindest sort of man, 

He was a good provider, 
And when a friend asked him to drink, 

He always called for cider. 
His wife, she has a noble heart, 

And though she may re-marry : 
Whene'er she thinks of Homer Clink 

Her heart a sigh will carry. 
" He has crossed the dark river, and found peace and good health." 

From a tombstone in Connecticut: 

I gave this ground, 
I'm laid here first; 

Soon my remains 

Will turn to dust. 
My wife and progeny around, 

Come sleep with me 

In this cold ground. 

On a stone in a Rhode Island burying-ground is 
this stanza: 

Here lies John Brown of old extract, 
In fifty-five God did exact, 
From him the debt that all must pay 
Who mortals are and made of clay. 

On a small marble slab in a Massachusetts grave- 
yard, over the grave of a man who -committed suicide, 
while insane, is the following: 

Memento Mori. 

Sacred to the memory of Mr. D B , 

Born Died , 



Whose last dying words were, 



EPITAPHS. 187 

"TO THE WAR." 

Dulce et decorum est fro f atria mori. 
Sweet Jesus was resigned to his Father's will, 
And so was he who lies here still. 

From Nexobaryport, Mass., we take this inscrip- 
tion: 

Death had decomposed him and at the general resurrection Christ 
will re-compose him when perception and thought shall resume 
their several functions and he shall become identically the same 
person, which deity composed him and shall be happy or miserable 
according to his dispositions. 

As falls the tree so man shall fall asleep 
And dormant lie till judgment's final doom 
When Christ shall raise him from the general heap 
And break the magic of the hungry tomb. 

In the burial-ground, at Southampton, Mass., is a 
plain wooden slab, into which is set a daguerreotype 
of a spiritualist's family; beneath the picture, printed 
on blue paper, and covered by a glass, is the follow- 
ing inscription: 

This 

inclosure was 

dedicated to the ashes of 

Josiah A. Grid ley 

and family 

March 16, 1S52. 

The above likeness was taken of the family, as it existed, Nov. 

17th, 1847, with the exception of Mrs. G. who was so deranged that 

it was impossible to take her with the group. Albert J. the oldest 

son laid off the outer form, Nov. 10, 1851, aged 19 years yet he 

is neither dead nor asleep but, converses daily with his friends in 
the body, of the things that pertain to the kingdom of God. 



188 MISCELLANEOUS 

At Toronto, Canada: 

In memor'v of 
Edwin, son of 

John and Ann P 

Born at Toronto Oct. 26, 1S56 
Died Dec. 10th 1861. 
And though we ne'er can meet again 

On this side of the grave : 
We'll strive to win a crown of life 

From him who died to save. 
A blessed state will then be ours. 
In heaven we'll praises sing, 
With our sweet boy — our angel son. 
To God the eternal king. 

These verses are original. 

At Woodstock, Connecticut: 

Dear babe weal weep for the no more, 
For thou art now forever blest 
The bitter pangs of death is ore 
And Jesus smiles to see the rest. 

The following is copied from an ancient grave- 
stone in Pembroke, Massachusetts: 

Here rests a poor woman 
Who always was tired, 
For she lived in a house 
Where Help was not hired. 

Her last words were, Friends, 
Fare ye well ; I am going 
To a place where there's nothing 
Of washing or sewing. 

Then weep not my friends, 
When death shall us sever; 



Kl'ITAPHS. 189 

For I'll have a nice time 
In doing nothing forever. 

For everything there 
Is exact to my wishes, 
Since when they don't eat 
There's no washing of dishes. 

The courts with sweet music 
Are constantly ringing ; 
But having no voice 
I shall get clear of singing. 

She folded her hands 
With her latest endeavor, 
And whispered sweet nothing, 
Oh, nothing, forever. 

This comes from New York: 

Many stood round 

Though none could save 

This blooming youth from a watery grave ; 

Great search was made the corpse to obtain, 

But all their searching was in vain. 

Long time elapsed — the corpse did rise, 

And eager friends did seize the prize. 

In the Necropolis, Toronto, Canada, is a stone on 
which is strangely inscribed a well-known stanza: 

When I rise to worlds unknown & behold 
thee on thy throne, Rock of ages cleft" 
for me let me hide myself in thee. 

In a Philadelphia burying-ground is a tombstone 
bearing this inscription: 

In memorv of 



190 MISCELLANEOUS 

John Thomas Wilson, 
aged 32 vears. 
Over the grave's cold silent deeps 
A widow and two orphans weeps. 
A husband kind and true, 
A fond indulgent father two. 

Epitaph on a Boston clergyman, written bv him- 
self: 

Beneath this stone lies the bodv of one 
Shamefully treated in life 
By his wife's son and Dr. Thorn 
And Daniel Seavev's wife. 

On Ann Lavan, Collinsville, Conn.: 

Ann La van is my name, 

Ireland is my nation, 

Collinsville my intering place, 

Heaven is my station. 
Whilst' grass is green and roses red, 
This is my name when I am dead 
And all my bones are rottan, 
On this stone my name will be, 
When I am quite forgottan. 

Prom a stone in Calvary Cemetery, Chicago, over a 
youth who died at the age of 15 years: 

In the time of my boyhood, I had a strange feeling, 
That I was to die ere the noon of my day ; 
Not quietly into the silent grave stealing, 
But torn like a blasted oak, suddenly away. 

A tombstone at Dorchester, Mass., has the follow- 
ing: 



EPITAPHS. 191 

On the 2 1 st of March 

God's angels made a sarche. 

Around the door they stood ; 

They took a maid 

It is said, 

And cut her down like wood. 

From Martha's Vineyard: 

Not youthful charms together joined 
With temper sweet, and virtuous mind, 
Nor husbands tears, nor parents grief, 
Against Grim Death was no relief. 

From Rushville, N. Y.: 

In my 23rd year I married me a wife, 
And lived with her 35 years of my life. 
Sixteen years after my life I resigned, 
And of my 8 children left 7 behind. 

Inscription on an ancient tombstone in Rockville, 
Mass. : 

In memory of Jane Bent, 
who kicked up her heels and away she went. 

Copied from a gravestone in a burying-ground 
near Philadelphia : 

In memory of Henry Wang, son of his Father and Mother, John 
and Maria Wang. Died Dec. 31st, 1829, aged ]/ 2 hour. 
The first deposit of this yard. 

A short-lived joy 

Was our little boy. 

He has gone on high, 

So don't you cry. 



192 MISCELLANEOUS 

In the cemetery at Cape May may be seen this 

epitaph on Mary Jane , who departed this life at 

the age of 11 years and 8 months: 

She was not smart, she was not fair, 
But hearts with grief for her are swellin' ; 
And empty stands her little chair — 
She died of eatin' watermelin. 

Epitaph on a dog — composed by Dr. C , a stu- 



dent of the Chicago Homoeopathic College, class of 
'77, at a vivisection, by the compiler: 

List ye doctors wise and great 
And hear mv last good bye. 
A tale or two I would relate, 
Just now before I die. 

Two tales I have — you see but one, 
The good old tale I wag. 
Has followed me in every run 
And of this Tail I brag. 

My other tale is sad and lone 
And lengthy as my days, 
I see it now as not before, 
And on my mind it weighs. 

And though it's but a dog's own tale, 
A tale it is of sorrow. 
For die I must — and nought but dust 
This dog will be to-morrow. 

Martyrs die upon the rack, 
Their faith gives them reliance; 
Whilst I, here faithless, on my back, 
Must give my life to science. 

A Scientific dog. Indeed. 



EPITAPHS. 193 

Although not versed in art. 
The world of wonder is in need, 
And I must give my heart. 

A Homoeopath I sure will be 
When I am triturated. 
The dynamic force of dog, you'll see 
In hash, as often stated. 

Now all behold my latter end, 
It is a bitter cup. 

Let all your tender feelings blend, 
And pity this poor pup. 

A tombstone in Connecticut has the following: 

Now she is dead and cannot stir ; 
Her cheeks are like the faded rose ; 
Which of us shall next follow her, 
The Lord Almighty only knows. 
Hark ! she bids all her friends adieu ; 
An angel calls her to the spheres; 
Our eves the radiant saint pursue 
Through liquid telescopes of tears. 

Epitaph on the warrior , by an assistant sur- 
geon of the Nineteen Nankeens: 

Stiff are the warrior's muscles, 
Congealed alas! his chyle; 
No more in hostile tussles 
Will he excite his bile. 
Dry is the epidermis, 
A vein no longer bleeds, 
And the communis vermis 
Upon the warrior feeds. 

Compressed, alas ! the thorax 
That throbbed with joy or pain ; 



194 MISCELLANEOUS 

Not e'en a dose of borax 
Could make it throb again. 
Dried up the warrior's throat is 
All shattered too his head; 
Still is the epiglottis — 
The warrior is dead. 

From Willow Brook cemetery, East Hartford: 

In memory of Serg't Herman Barker, Jr., of Tolland — he was 
captivated by the British troops Sept. 15th 1776, — son to Mr. Her- 
man Barker and Lois his wife — he died on his way home with the 
small-pox Jan. 21st 1777, in the 29th year of his age. 

A gravestone at Sterling, Miss., has this stanza: 

As she on her bed of sickness lay, 
Her friends stood weeping round, 
She not a word to them could say, 
No medicine could they get down. 

From Quaker's Farms, Oxford, Conn.: 



S. H. M. H. Z. H. R. H. 

1 741. J 774« 1806. 1786. 

By this stone are deposited the remains 

of Capt. Zachariah Hawkins, 
a worthy and respectable member of Society, 
who in the 90th year of his age died in faith 

and hope, June 27th MDCCCVI. 
He had 14 children, who all survived him, 
2 grand-children, & 95 great-grand-children. 
Sarah, bis first wife, is buried in Derby — 

by whom he had Sarah & Mercy. 
Mary, his 2nd wife, is buried 12 feet on the 

left of this stone — by whom he had 



EPITAPHS. 195 

Mary, John, Elizabeth, Elijah, Anna, Gaylord, 

Ruth, Silas, Joseph, Moses, 

& Isaac. 

Rachel, his third wife, lies close by this 

on the left, by whom he had Zachariah. 

Lydia, his relict, and his sons 

erect this Monument, their tribute 

of gratitude, love, and honor. 

On a tombstone in New Milford, Conn., is this 
epitaph on a child who was drowned in a cistern: 

In a moment he fled, 
He ran to the cistern and raised the lid, 
His father looked in, there did behold 
His child lay dead and cold. 

A cremationist's epitaph: 

The soul has flown, and the body's flue. 

Epitaph on Johnny Smith: 

Four doctors tackled Johnny Smith, They blistered and they bled 

him; 
With squills and anti-bilous pills, And ipecac they fed him. 
They stirred him up with calomel, And tried to move his liver ; 
But all in vain — his little soul, Was wafted o'er the river. 

The following, marked H. IS". C, were copied by Mr. 
Knapp, of Boston, Mass., from the "original manu- 
scripts" furnished by a friend of his who was in the 
gravestone business, and to whom they were actually 
given to be cut: 

She seeketh wool & flax, and laboreth dil- 



196 MISCELLANEOUS 

gently with her hands. 

H. N. C. 

My cheeks once red like roses spread 
My sparkling" eyes so gay 
But now behold me dead & cold 
A lifeless lump of Clay. 

When you unto my grave do go 
That Gloomy place to see 
Think Solemnly that you must die 
And be my Company. 

H. N. C. 

My dear & beloved Wife Though 
Has left me to morn thy sad 
Loss & by the Blessin of god <k 
Son, I found a nother Wife. 

H. N. C. 

Life is but a dream, how brief. 

but death, how sure, how quick, 

we little thought 'twould come so soon 

when you said "7" am sick.*' 

it was hard to watch that gasping breath 

and see your little cheeks grow pale 

alas ! and hear your throbbing breast, 

it was sadder yet to close your eyes in death. 

farewell dear Childe vouve gone to rest 
we loved you while with us you staid : 
we'll mark the spot with a monument 
where we have seen your boddy laid. 

H. N. C. 

By an Englishman: 

Edward A. Taylor died 
March ist 1S5S, Eaged 4 years. 

Has Due drops in the morning 
Mild, Asends to meet the rising sun, 



epitaphs. 197 

So as the Spirit ot our Child 
To heaven srone thus sin to shun. 



A Block Island, sea captain's tombstone carries 
this couplet: 



( 



He's done a-catching cod 
And gone to meet his God. 



On a stone in a Connecticut churchyard are these 
lines: 

Here lies two twins, all side by side, 
Of the small-pox both of them died. 

From the head-board of a grave near Sunshine 
Camp, Boulder Canon, Colorado-. 

Here slumbers Charlie Miller, 

Our little bucket-filler, 

He slipped off sudden and broke his neck ; 

Bucket fell and knocked him dead. 

A German in a foreign land, 

Unknown and misunderstood, 

The boys all did lend him a hand, 

And done the best for him they could. 

On the fifth day of October, 1876, the first public 
cremation of a human body in the United States took 
place at Washington, Pa. To the reliques of an 
Irish laborer, who met his death while building the 
cremation furnace, were accorded the honor of first 
demonstrating its efficacy. An eye witness thus de- 
scribes the performance: 



198 MISCELLANEOUS EPITAPHS. 

At precisely 4 o'clock the body arrived at the fur- 
nace, in the hands of six pall-bearers. It was laid on 
a sort of litter, constructed of black walnut, and 
trimmed with satin. The body was placed in the 
furnace, and the names turned upon it at ten minutes 
after 4, and in forty minutes afterward, what was 
once a body was then about six quarts of white ashes. 
These were immediately gathered up and deposited 
in a beautiful urn constructed especially for the oc- 
casion, and bearing the following inscription: 

This urn contains the ashes from the remains of Thomas Col- 
lins, who was cremated at Washington, Pa., Oct. 5, 1876. He was 
a native of Ireland, of the County Cork, and near the Town of 
Belley Castle. 

Died Oct. 3, 1876. 
Peace to his ashes. 

Epitaph on an Insurance Company: 

R. I. P. 
The National Fire and Marine 
Insurance Company of Philadelphia. 
Conceived in the state office in August 1869. Born 
to this world of woe September 1S71. Died 
from manifold diseases, March 1875. 
It escaped the great Chicago fire 
only to be wrecked on the 
sands of gross mis- 
management. 



May ive never look upon i/s like again. 



INDEX. 



INDEX 

To Epitaphs and Obsequies. 



Abbott, John 

Abel, On 

Adam's place of Sepulture 

Adams, John Quincy 

, John, and Wife 

, Julia . 

, Michael 

Admonitory Epitaphs 
Adulatory Epitaphs 
Ahyouwaighs 
Alden, Mrs. Martha 
Allen, Elisha 

, Ethan 

Artilleryman, On an 
Athenians, Burial-place of the 
Atherton, Humphry 
Attorney-at-law, On an 
Auricular, John 



Babe, On a little 

Babes, On two . . . 

— , On three 

Babylonians, Treatment of their Dead 

Bactrian Obsequies 

Bailey, Lydia .... 

, Thomas 

Baker, Rhoda C 

Baldner, Elizabeth 

201 



PACK 

6 9 

179 

16 

44 

43 

79 

in 

67 
105 

50 

95 
153 

49 
i^3 

23 
1 11 

J 74 
159 



157-188 

9S-156 

. 99 

17 
. iS 

"3 
• 179 

119 
. 109 



202 



INDEX. 



Baldner, Henriette . 
Barber, Captain . 

John . 

Barker, Herman, Jr. • 
Barry, Thomas 
Bartholomew, Isaac 

B , Cora . 

Beekman, William 
Bend Children, The 
Bent, Jane 
Berkeley, Norborne 
Bishop, Samuel 
Blair, Samuel 
Boatman, On a . 
Boatswain (a dog), On 
Bombastic Epitaphs 
Bone Fort 
Bone-pits 

B , Oswald E . 

Bottetourt, Lord 
Boudinot, Elias 
Bowden, Betty . 
Bowers, Josiah 
Boyer, Lewis 
Boylston, Zabdiel . 
Brackett, Joshua 
Bradford, William 
Brant, John 

, Joseph 

Breck, John 
Brickmaker, On a . 
Bridgman, Mary 
Brock, Sir Isaac 
Brown, John 

, Zephaniah 

B , Thomas 

Buel, Mrs. Mary 



INDEX. 



203 



Buffalo .... 

Burmese, Funeral Rites of the 
Butler, Benjamin 

Cabbage, Miss 
Caesar the Ethiopian 
Captain, On a sea- 
Carpenter, Mtha 

, On a . 

C , Edward . 

Cemeteries of Russia 
, Our Modern . 



Centic Epitaph 

Champlin, Christopher 

Charley and Varley, On 

Cheyenne Indian, Disposal of the Dead 

Chinese Places of Sepulture 

Chipman,John 

Cholera, On a victim of 

Cists, Limestone 

Cities of Silence 

Claghorn, Lydia 

Clapp, Thomas 

Clark, Thomas, and .Wife 

Clergyman, On a 

Clink, Homer 

Clinton, George 

Coddington, William . 

Coggeshall, John 

Cole, Cary 

Collins, Thomas 

Conway, Betty . 

Cook, Mary . 

Coolie Emigrant, Superstition of the 

Coroner, On a 

Cottone, Johannes 

Country Doctor, On a 



52 

19 

108 

159 

116 

197 

101 

143 

155 

24 

20 

181 

141 

153 

19 

24 

138 
83 
15 
22 

164 
18 
81 

190 

185 
46 

48 

48 

180 

19S 

163 

7i 

24 
144 

120 
176 



204 

Creer, Sam 

Cremation, First, in U. S 
Cremationist, On a 
Crighton, Robert 
Crouch, Margaret 
Cushman, Thomas 
Custis, John 
Cutter, John . 

, Samuel . 

C , Wm. . 



INDEX 



Darling, Betsey 
Davenport, Daniel 
Davis, Basil 
Dawes, Thomas 
Day, Elizabeth . 
Dead, Disposal of the 
Dean, John 
Democrat, On a 
Dentist, On a 
Deutcher, Louisa 
Devotional Epitaphs 
Dickinson, Moses . 

D , Mrs. 

Dog, on a Scientific 
Dolmens 
Donnell, Samuel 
Douglass, Stephen A. 
Dudley, Thomas . 
Dwight, John 



Eaton, Governor . 
Eccentric Epitaphs 
Egyptian Burial Places 
Eliza, On 

E.llery, Christopher 
Embalming, Practice of 
Eminent Personages, On 



153 
197 

J 95 

i37 
125 
131 
150 
125 
68 

77 

150 
144 

154 
47 
73 
16 

124 
122 

144 
73 

So 
72 

85 
192 
16 
56 
60 
180 
7i 

162 

149 

^3 

78 

116 

17 
39 



INDEX. 



205 



Epitaphs, Origin of . 


. 26 


, Construction of 


32 


, Collections of ... 


• 33 


, Manuscript 


195 


^ r ii'"ii rk tir*^ of* 


• 30 
18 


Ethiopian Mode of Sepulture 


Evans, Mrs. Annie L. ... 


. 100 


, William .... 


6S 


Eve's burial place .... 


. 16 


Farrell, Andrew .... 


139 


Festivals of the Dead 


. 12 


Fisher, Horace .... 


75 


Fiske, Moses ..... 


. 113 


Fishermen, On Three 


125 


Flint, Josiah ..... 


. 112 


Flowers at Funerals 


i > 


Foster, Susan P. 


. 161 


Franklin, Benjamin 


41 


, Elizabeth .... 


. 115 


French, William .... 


1S2 


Funeral Emblems .... 


• " 


Gibbs, Sarah S. . 


79 


Glazier, On a .... 


• J 44 


Glover, John .... 


53 


Gold, Mary ..... 


• 173 


Grant, William .... 


140 


Granther and Granny, On 


• 154 


Graves, Gardens of ... 


2 i 


Greeks, Customs of the 


. 19 


Gridley, Josiah .... 


1S7 


Guanches, Treatment of the Dead 


. 17 


Hall, Deaconne .... 


113 


Hamilton, Alexander 


• 54 


Hancock, G. M. & J. H. . 


53 


Hartwell, Joseph & Betsey 


. 1S5 



206 



INDEX. 



Harvard, John 
Helder, Edward 

H , D.J. 

Hawkins, Zachariah & family 

H , Henry 

Hill, Ellen 

H , I. H. 

Hodge, Hugh 
Holt, John 
Holyoke, Mari 
Homesick, On the 
Hooker, John 
Hunt, Ammey 
Huit, Ephraim 
Husband, On a 



45 

IOO 

!94 
151 

173 
160 

137 
117 
105 

93 
"4 
170 
105 

95 



Incremation, Practice of 
Inscriptions, Earliest Recorders of 

In Early Imperial Times 

In the Middle Ages 

, Modern 

on National Monuments 

Insurance Co., Epitaph on an 
Interment, Practice of 
Introduction 
Isabel, Aunt 

Jack, John 
Jackson, Nathan . 

, Mrs. Rachel 

Jefferson, Thomas 
Jenkins, Richard 
Jewett, David 
Jenking, Samuel 
Johnson, James 

, Samuel 

Jones, David 
, Mrs. . 



16 
27 
2 7 
29 
30 
30 

198 
16 
11 

100 

10S 
«3 
125 

4o 
154 

*35 

33 

156 

46 

122 

*55 



INDEX. 



207 



Jones' Twins 


70 


Jourdan, Patrick 


. 165 


Knapp, Lewis 


161 


K , Mary 


• 77 


Knowles, John 


175 


Lady, On a Colored . 


. 150 


, On an Old 


174 


, On a Young 


1 21-1 50-164 


L , Alice 


94 


Laplander, Funeral Custom of the 


22 


Lathrop, Joshua 


137 


Laudatory Epitaphs 


. 105 


Lavan, Ann 


190 


Lawrence, John 


. 127 


Lee, Jesse . 


132 


Leland, John 


. 5 3 


Lettig, Peter 


160 


Lewis, Charles ; 


. no 


Lincoln, Abraham 


60 


Little, Daniel 


. 69 


Little Jerry, On 


149 


L , John D. 


• 153 


Locksmith, On a 


i57 


Lomax, Abbie 


. 185 


Lord, Richard 


1 12 


Lowder, Mary Ann 


• i59 


Loyalist, On an American 


127 


Lucas, John 


. 116 


Ludicrous Epitaphs 


149 


Ludlam 


. Si 


Macclintock, Samuel 


97 


Mariner, On an Old 


• i43 


Martin, John 


126 


Marvin, Reynold 


. 124 


Mary jane, On 


192 



208 



INDEX. 



Mather, Azariah 
Matlock, John 
Mechanic, On a 
Memorial?, The Earliest . 
Mellish, Sarah 
Mercer, Hugh 
M'Hard, Mary 

Michal T , Mrs. 

Miller, Charlie 
Miscellaneous Epitaphs 
M'Kean, Robert 
McKinstry, Alexander 

M , Madora 

Mohammedans, Burial Places of the 

Money-lender, On a 

Montcalm, Marquis de 

Montgomery, Richard 

Mongol Tartars, Customs of the 

Monument, Battle . . . 

, Brock 

Monumental Inscriptions 
Monument, Lincoln 
Moody, Joseph 
Moore, Samuel 
Morris, Judah 
Mounds and Tumuli 
Mount, Elizabeth J. 

, Marietta C. 

Mulligan, Wm. 

Nannestad, Lars . 

Ned, On Sarvint 

Newel, Samuel 

Nootka Sound, Mode of Burial at 

N , Robert 

Noyes, Daniel 

O'C , John 



INDEX. 



200 



Ogden, David 

Oliver, E. Pluribus Unum 

Oonalaska, Mode of Interment at 

Orono 

Our Charlie 

Our Mattie 

Parks, Rebecca 

Parks, Thomas R., Jr. 

Parsees, Mode of Sepulture of the 

Paul, Silas 

Pease, Solomon 

P , Edward 

Perry, O. H. 
— , C. G. 



Peruvians, Treatment of their 

P , John & A. • . 

, Mrs. L. 

Polk, Zeke 
Poole, William 
Preble, Abraham 
Prentice, Thos. . 
Professional Epitaphs 
Professor, On a Chemical 
Punning Epitaphs 
Putnam, Israel 

Rankin, John, 

Reed, Elizabeth McF. 

R , Edward 

Reed, Joseph 

R , John 

Richardson, John 
Richmond, Dr. 
Ridiculous Epitaphs 

R m, James H. 

Robins, W. & M., Children of 
Roberts, Elizabeth 



Dead 



96 

159 

20 

5 2 
100 

94 

76 

76 

18 
131 
163 

94 

5- 

5- 

17 

18S 

151 
175 
67 
139 
118 

131 

176 

169 

59 

117 
124 

7S 

57 

77 

90 

iai 

H9 

1S4 

9- 
106 



210 



INDEX. 



Rogers, John .... 

, Mrs. Wing 

Romans, Customs of the 

Rooster, On a ... 

Russian Cemeteries 

Sarah A. , On 

Satirical Epitaphs 

Savery, Pompey (a dog) 

Scandinavians, Funeral Observances of the 

Schoolmaster, On a 

Seabury, Samuel . 

S , Emma 

Sewell, J. M. 
Sexton, On an Old 
Shell Mounds 
Shrew,. On a 
Shockler, John 
Shute, Mrs. Amos 
Sikkim Obsequies 
Singing-master, On a 

S , John 

, Michael 

Smith, Caleb 

, Chester 

, John 

, Johnny 

, William 

, Roger R. 

, Sam Will 

Sodd, Carrie 

Sparta's Dead, Dwelling-places of 

Spear, Deacon 

Sprague, Ruth 

Stearns, Edward 

Steiners, John . , 

Stearns, Lucy 



173 

19-24 
169 

• 24 

1S4 

. 169 

123 

. 22 

173 

• 134 

78 

• 133 
144 

• 15 
172 

• 73 
82 

• 19 
80 

• *7* 

109 

• 132 

72 

• l 5 2 
195 

• 69 
74 

• 151 
157 

• 23 



171 

182 

86 

1S2 



INDEX. 



211 



Stone Mounds .... 


. 15 


Stone, Mrs. Abigail . 


91 


Submit, On .... 


• 179 


Suicide, On a ... 


186 


Sumner, Job .... 


. 116 


Sundry Epitaphs 


89 


At Augusta, Me. 


. 15S 


Bradford, Vt 


• 156 


Bedford, Mass. . 


75-93 


Bristol, Conn. 


. i55 


Butler Co., Ohio 


. 126 


Canton, 111. 


99 


Ciirronbrook, Ont. 


. 9 2 


Calvary, Chicago, 111. 


S3-84-190 


Charleston, S. C. 


.82 


Cincinnati, Ohio 


ISS 


Columbus 


. ico 


Damariscotta, Me. . 


162 


Dorchester, Mass. 


. 174-190 


Dover, Me. . 


i54 


Frankfort, Pa. . 


• 97 


Gettysburg, Pa. 


80 


Glastonburg, Conn. 


• 154 


Greenwood, N. Y. 


102 


Mollis, N. H. 


- 92 


Ipswich, Mass. 


s 5 


Keeysville, N. Y. 


156-169 


Kingston, Mass. 


102 


Lafayette, Ind. 


. 162 


La Pointe, L. S. 


153 


Ledyard, Conn. 


. 162 


Litchfield, Conn. 


6S-S5-90-99- 


Lyons, N. Y- . 


. 109 


Martha's Vineyard 


191 


Middletown, Conn. 


90-106-124 


Milan, Ohio 


161 


Monadnock, N. H. 


• 95 



512 



INDEX. 



At Mount Auburn, N. ^ 
Nashville, Tenn. 
New Milford, Conn. 
New Preston, Conn. 
New Orleans, La. . 
Oxford, N. H. . 
Pittsburg, Pa. 
Portland, Me. 
Portsmouth, N. H. 
Richmond, Va. 
Rigefield, Conn. 
Rushville, N. Y. 
Rjegate, Vt. 
Saratoga, N. Y. 
Schenectady, N. Y. 
Sterling, Miss. 
Sturbridge, Mass. 
Sutton, Vt. 
Trenton, N. J. 
Toronto, Ont. 
Washington, Conn. 
Waukegan, 111. 
Westfield, Mass. 
Yorkville, Ont. . 
•Sunseeto, On 

Taylor, Edward . 

T , Daughter of . 

^Tekarihogea 
Thatcher, Partridge . 
Thayendangea 
Thayer, Ebenezer 
Thermopylae, On those who Fell 
Thibetans, Disposal of their Dead 
Thomas, Sarah 

, Richard . , 

Thompson, On 
Thomson, Benjamin . 
, Jonathan 



at 



I02 


. 160 


195 
. 68-91-183 


170 

. 160 


. 158 

. 162 


93 


• 93 

84 


. 191 


79 


. in 


151 


• 194 


75 


. 119 


101 


158-188-189 


in 


. 159 


70 
. Si 


5 1 


. 196 


109 


. 50 
• 183 


. 50 


133 


• 30 
iS 


. . .164 
76 


• 174 

• 136 

. 10S 



INDEX 



Thornhill, Richard 
Tonquinese Obsequies 
Tract-peddler, On a 
Tute, Amos 
Twins, On Two 

Uncas, Samuel 
Urn Burial 
Usher, John 

Vanderpool, Sarah 

Wang, Henry 
Warner, Seth 
Warrior, On the . 
Warren, Anne 

W , Sarah H. 

Warren, Joseph 
Washington, George 
Wayne, Anthony 
Weibergs, Casper D. 
Webster, Daniel 
Welshman, Funeral Custom 
Wen, On a man with a 
Wheelock, Eleazer 
Wife of an Early Settler 

a Sea-captain 

Wilkins, Isaac 
Willett, Thomas 
Williams, Joseph 
Wilson, John T. . 
Wives, On Several 
Wolfe and Montcalm 
Woman, On a Tired 
Woodruff, Jennet 
Wright, Robert 
Wyman, Charles 

Yale, Elihu . 
Youngster, On a 
Youth, On a . 



of the 



213 

142 

• 19 
162 

. 183 
197 

• 5» 

16 

• ^35 
120 

. 191 
117- 

• 193 
141 

. 109 
49 

• 39 
58 

• 133 

22 

"5 

• 47 

82 

• 33 
12S 

. 57 
180 

. 190 
170 

• 44 
188. 

. 114 

1S4 

. 68- 

47 

. i^3 

170-1S9 



8SG 



10 




Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
^O Treatment Date: Dec. 2007 

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